Joseph William (J.W.) James of Starkville, MS, passed away on June 16, 2020. He was a long-time member of the First Baptist Church and the Bain Bible Sunday School Class.

J. W. was born February 9, 1927 in Greene County to the late Joseph W. James, Sr. and Kate Byrd James.

After graduating from Leakesville High School in 1945 he immediately volunteered to join the United States Army; serving two years with occupational forces in Europe. Upon being discharged from the Army, he enrolled in East Mississippi Junior College and Mississippi State University. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in the School of Agriculture. While attending MSU, he was a member of the U.S. Army ROTC, receiving a commission as Second Lieutenant upon graduation. Completing basic officer training at Fort Benning, GA, he was commissioned First Lieutenant. He served as a training officer with the 101st division at Camp Breckenridge, Kentucky and Camp Gordon, Georgia. After being separated from active duty, he was a member of the Mississippi Army National Guard, serving over eighteen years with the 114th artillery battalion staff in Starkville. At the time of his release, he had obtained the rank of Captain.

J. W. began a 30 year career with the Mississippi Cooperative Extension Service in 1955. He was an assistant county 4-H youth agent in Covington and Jasper counties. After serving in Jasper county eight years, he was promoted to associate state 4-H youth development specialist at Mississippi State University with the Mississippi Copperative Extension Service. J. W. received a Kellogg Foundation Fellowship to attend the University of Wisconsin at Madison. In 1963 he received a Master of Science degree in Cooperative Extension Administration from the University of Wisconsin. He was a member of Epsilon Sigma Phi and Gamma Sigma Delta National Honorary Extension fraternities.

As state 4-H youth specialist some of his duties included: leadership for the states five
4-H camp programs, junior and adult volunteer leadership development, 4-H adult leader's council, state 4-H advisory council, state 4-H bank campaign, and organized training programs for volunteers for all youth-serving organizations in the state of Mississippi. He was also instrumental in providing leadership for moving the 4-H youth program from schools into the community. During his tenure with the state 4-H staff, he served on many regional, state and national committies. J. W. was chosen chairman of the Southern Regional Leadership forum. He wrote several publications, including the Expansion of 4-H in the Southern Region. He held life memberships in the Mississippi 4-H advisory council, state 4-H foundation, 4-H advisory council, state 4-H foundation, 4-H All-Stars, and received a citation for outstanding service to 4-H. He was also a member of the National Association of Retired Federal Employees and Veteran's of Foreign Wars. After retiring in 1983, he developed several hobbies, his favorite being travel. He visited all 50 states and many European countries.


J. W. is survived by his wife, Nancy; nephews, Kenneth W. James (Sarah) of Ripley, MS, Roland Craig Smith (Berneice) of Tupelo, MS; and nine great nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph W. James, Sr. and Kate Byrd James; daughter, Sheila James Newell; and a niece, Judy James York.

There will be a visitation on Wednesday, June 17, 2020 from 9:00-9:30 a.m. at Welch Funeral Home in Starkville, MS, with the graveside following at 10:00 a.m. at Memorial Garden Park Cemetery in Starkville.