Joseph Waterbury

JOSEPH J. WATERBURY

Tama

Joseph J. Waterbury, 75, formerly of Tama, died Tuesday morning, Oct. 25, 2016, at Sunnybrook Living Care Center in Fairfield.

There will be a Celebration of Life and open house at the American Legion Hall in Tama on Saturday, Nov. 5, from 3 to 7 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial funds have been established. Memorials may be sent to Tama Fire and Ambulance, 305 Siegel St., Tama, IA 52339; Toledo Fire and Ambulance, PO Box 64, Toledo, IA 52342; or the Jefferson County Public Health Department, 200 W. Briggs, Fairfield, IA 52556.

Joseph was born Sept. 6, 1941, in Tama, Iowa, to Hal and Frances Waterbury. He lived most of his life in the Tama and Chelsea areas. After graduation from Chelsea High in 1959, Joe attended U.S. Trade Schools in Kansas City, specializing in auto mechanics. Upon completing the courses, he went to work for Hartwig Motors in Iowa City.

In 1962, Joe married Ellen Pieper of Tama, at which time he began working for Tama County in maintaining the county vehicles. Eager to broaden his opportunities, Joe began employment for an auto salvage and soon purchased this establishment in 1970. Joe and his wife ran this business, known as Sandhill Auto Salvage, for 40 years. They recycled over 60,000 vehicles and were recognized as one of the top 10 green auto recyclers in the U.S. and Canada. Joe built Sandhill Auto Salvage into a successful company, which is now owned by his son and daughter-in-law, Mike and Mitzi Waterbury.

In Joe's younger years, he enjoyed playing men's fast pitch softball, with his position as pitcher for the team. He looked forward to sharing his Iowa Hawkeye football tickets with his friends and traveled to several bowl games.

Besides being an auto recycler, Joe loved gardening. With his wife by his side, they turned their yard into a beautiful paradise of flowers, trees, shrubs, water gardens and gazebos. Joe spent hours constructing brick pathways that wound throughout their vegetable and flower beds.

Known not only for his auto business, Joe was a self-taught master craftsman in woodworking. In 1995, he and his wife built and furnished a dollhouse to showcase Moss dolls for the artist P. Buckley Moss. They traveled with this artist and their dollhouse to shows across the United States. They were very proud that this work of art is now displayed in Waynesboro, Va., at her art gallery.

Joe retired in 2010 when technology and bar coding of the auto parts took over. When he finally completed his "honey do list" and made his acceptance speech for the 2010 "Citizen of the Year," he and his wife moved to Fairfield to be near their daughter, Deb Buch.

As Joe's heart failure progressed, he spent hours working jigsaw puzzles to pass the time. Game shows and ESPN were his new best friends.

Joe was admired by anyone who crossed his path. You could say he was a self-made man with a kind and modest spirit. He always rooted for the underdog (Chicago Cubs included) and would give any man down on his luck a better opportunity at life.

Survivors include his wife, Ellen, of 54 years; two daughters, Chris (Dan) Poggioli of Pecatonica, Ill., and Deb (Dan) Buch of Fairfield; and one son, Mike (Mitzi) Waterbury of Tama. Grandchildren include Mitch, (Jillian) Myers, Leanna Myers, Ryan Reid, Leslie Reid, Clay Waterbury, Madison, Myles and McKade Waterbury; and one great-grandson, Raidyn Fildes.

Joe also is survived by one sister, Barb (Darwin) Funke, State Center; and one brother, Bill (Ellyn) Waterbury, Iowa City.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Hal and Frances Waterbury; one brother, Jim Waterbury; and one son, Steve Waterbury.