William Joseph Bledsoe, 81, of Southhaven, MS, went home to his Lord and Savior on Monday December 14th, 2020.

Bledsoe was born in Memphis, Tennessee on July 27, 1939. He was known as Joseph and PawPaw to those closest to him. Bledsoe was a fireman with the City of Memphis and retired as a Battalion Commander after serving for 32 years. In 1994, he married his bride, Marie Bledsoe.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he caused Joseph to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, in 1995.

He is preceded in death by his parents, William Bledsoe, Sr., father, Anona Bledsoe, mother, his brother, James Bledsoe and his daughter, Tina Jo Leppert.

He is survived by his wife of 26 years, Marie Bledsoe, his sister, Nona Capooth, his brother, John Bledsoe, his daughters, Sherry (Danny) Nix, Mickey (Steve) Nelson, Sheryl (John) Pankey, Toni (Patrick) Clay, and Dana (Anthony) Sanders and his thirteen grandchildren: Joey Wyrick, Justin Wyrick, Jenna Kasser, Jill Beaver, Beth King, Joshua Peeler, John Thomas Pankey, Caroline Pankey, Colby Clay, Andrew Clay, Caleb Clay, Victoria Sexton, and Taylor Sexton. Bledsoe also leaves 14 great grandchildren.

He was a member of Mercy Hill Church in Olive Branch, Mississippi. Joseph loved to watch football, cook, play chess, read, share the gospel, crack plenty of jokes, and play Skip Bo with his wife.

The graveside service will be held at 10:00 am on Wednesday, December 23, 2020 at Forest Hill East, 2440 Whitten Road, Memphis, TN 38113.