A memorial service for William Joe Robinson, 75, of Harrison, AR, formerly of Benoit, MS, will be held at Eagle Heights Baptist Church on Friday, September 14 at 2:00 p.m. under the direction of Roller-Christeson Funeral Home, Harrison. The family will receive visitors one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be on Saturday, September 15, 2018, at 3:00 p.m. in the Shaw Cemetery, Shaw, MS under the direction of Boone Funeral Home, Greenville, MS. There will be a visitation at Benoit Union Church at 1:30 p.m. prior to the graveside service. He died September 11, 2018, following a brief illness.
Joe was an outdoor enthusiast, delightful friend, charming Southern gentleman, devout Christian, and a devoted husband, father, brother, and grandfather.
He was born on November 10, 1942 in Cleveland, MS, to James L. and Pauline Robinson. He graduated from Shaw High School in 1963 and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from Delta State University in 1967.
He married the love of his life, Hilda Hogue of Skene, in 1966. Joe and Hilda had two children, Mimi and Joe Dan. They made their life in the fields of the Mississippi Delta near Benoit. Joe was employed at Delta & Pine Land as a farm manager until the early 1980’s. He later ran his own farm operation until his family relocated to Harrison, AR in 1989. During their years in Arkansas, he worked with Hilda in their family businesses, From the Heart, and later Lawn Ranger. Later, he occupied his time with odd-jobs, often bartering work with friends in order to recruit help for his ongoing outdoor projects. Joe loved their property and took great joy in using it in service to others. He was never happier than when he and Hilda were entertaining church friends, youth groups, or family gatherings in their backyard where he could always be found behind a grill or smoker.
Farming was Joe’s passion, even long after he retired. He had a deep and abiding love for the Delta land and all who worked its soil, and he made his way back to it as often as he could. His presence during harvest will be missed by many for years to come.
Joe was a member of Eagle Heights Baptist Church where he was actively involved in his Sunday school class. He served his church family faithfully as needs arose. Joe was a jack-of-all-trades, and he never turned away a friend or stranger who needed his help. He was preceded in death by his parents, James L. and Pauline Robinson, as well as his brother, Al Robinson.
He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Hilda Hogue Robinson; their two children, Mimi Martinson and husband Allen of Ridgeland, MS, and Joe Dan Robinson and wife Carly of Stoneville; four grandchildren, Mia Martinson and Max Martinson of Ridgeland, and Katie Bell and Addison Bell of Stoneville; two brothers, James Paul Robinson and wife Arleene of Shaw, MS, and Don Robinson and wife Judy of Hartsville, TN, and sister-in-law Grady Robinson of Shaw.
Memorials may be made to Eagle Heights Baptist Church in Harrison, AR, or Benoit Union Church in Benoit, MS.