Josiah Royce Whitehead

Raleigh - Josiah Royce Whitehead died peacefully on April 20, 2018 after a brave battle with Parkinson’s Disease. Joe was born in Petersburg, Indiana to Roy and Helen Whitehead on September 25, 1932. He was predeceased by his parents, a brother Arthur, his father-in-law and best friend, Ray Stuart, two baby sons Jay and David, and granddaughter Erin Elizabeth Watkins. Joe’s life was defined by love. A man of quiet faith, Joe was a devoted follower of Jesus and his commandment to love one another. He met everyone with acceptance, compassion and a smile. The Whitehead family are longtime members of White Memorial Presbyterian Church where Joe served as a deacon, member of the Vision committee and a faithful member of the Men’s Bible Study on Tuesday mornings. At age 14 Joe met the love of his life, Ina Randels, in Latin class. They were close friends. Both went to college in Indianapolis, Joe to Butler University School of Pharmacy and Ina to Indiana University School of Nursing. Joe also received his MBA from Xavier University in Cincinnati. Joe loved pharmacy. After his army service, he joined Burroughs Wellcome Pharmaceutical Company, starting at the bottom and retiring as Vice President of Corporate Affairs. Professional affiliations include: Fellowship of American College of Apothecaries, National Community Pharmacists Association, American Pharmaceutical Association, North Carolina Association of Pharmacists, Board Member of National Pharmaceutical Council and Board Member of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association. Pharmacy awards for Joe include NC Pharmacist of the Year in 1999, Blanton Award, Bowl of Hygeia Award and Honorary Doctor of Science from Campbell University. In 1992 Governor James Martin awarded Joe the Order of the Long Leaf Pine. Joe loved serving the community as President of the Alice Aycock Poe Center, Chairman of NC Public Television Foundation, member of Wake Med Foundation & hospital volunteer, Trustee and Board Member of Exploris Museum and Marbles Kids Museum, NC Chapter of American Cancer Association, Wake County United Way, and American Red Cross. Joe loved his second career at Campbell University School of Pharmacy. After retiring from Burroughs Wellcome, he was called to join part-time faculty and retired in 2008 as Assistant Dean for External Affairs. He is well remembered for his PharmD hooding address entitled “Well, Ain’t You Something’” The next day as Joe received his Honorary Doctor of Science hood, the Pharmacy faculty and graduates stood and shouted, “Well Ain’t You Somethin’!” Joe loved to play golf. He was past President of North Ridge Country Club and a member of the Board of Governors. On Friday nights six golfers and their wives ate dinner together. They also vacationed together as a group and were close as family. Joe loved his family. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Ina, daughter Beth (Fred) Hathaway, son Randy (Glinda) Whitehead, and daughter Anne (Becky) Brantley. Also surviving are his sister Wanda Norwood and sister-in-law Betty Carr along with many nieces and nephews. Also left with priceless memories of their beloved Papa are Katie, Daniel, Zoe and D’artagnan Kline, Kimi and Kristen Arch, Emma and Seung Whitehead, Reighlah, Wes and Lucy Collins, Jim and Damonte Brantley, Ellie, Hannah, Philip and Asher Hathaway and Talon Hathaway and Abel Handford. The family would like to thank the members and staff at the Cypress of Raleigh and Rosewood for their friendship and exceptional care, especially Eileen Keaveney and Nicole Hunn. Also, his wonderful physicians Dr. Mark Englehardt, Dr. Brett Foreman, and Dr. Mitchell Freedman who treated him like family. Included in gratitude for compassionate care is Transitions Life Care Services, especially Lisa Ginsburg. Witness to the Resurrection will be held at White Memorial Presbyterian Church, 1701 Oberlin Rd, Raleigh, NC, 27608 on April 28, 2018 at 1:00 pm with visitation following in the Jane Bell Gathering Space. The family requests that memorials be sent to White Memorial Presbyterian Church or charity of your choice.