Ret. Cw3 Joe Billy Crosby

Ret. CW3 Joe B. Crosby (Joe Billy) was born in Elmore, Alabama on 17 December 1942 to Zeke and Sally Crosby. He was the lucky-seventh of their children and grew-up on the family farm in Coosada with fifteen siblings and his beloved grandmother, Mary Crosby (n. Zeigler). He took his first breaths a year and ten days after the bombing of Pearl Harbor that drew the United States into the Second World War. This was a cosmic battle of imperfect good against perfected evil. Nazi Germany was an aggressive dictatorship, engaged in racial genocide, and Imperial Japan committed human atrocities wherever its soldiers stepped foot. The United States – the country Joe would serve -- was not perfect, but, in an era before the broad reception of human rights, it was one of a few countries that did not embrace genocide as a method of diversity management. Joe knew he was blessed to be born in the United States and, especially, in these years. It meant that he would have a chance at life, and his life proved to offer many critical blessings to his family, friends, military and business associates, community, the Nation as whole and countless unknown millions around the world who now enjoy democracy. U.S. victory was pivotal in defining the prospects and hope for millions around the world, but the nation’s commitment to win and sustain the peace through the Cold War was even more important. It was in this cause that Ret. CW3 Joe B. Crosby chose a twenty-four-year career serving his country, buffering democracy around the world and with exceptional distinction in the U.S. Army. Recommended by the Armed Services in 1942 – the same year that Joe was born – the Legion of Merit (LOM) was established by Act of Congress on 20 July 1942 and the rules of award by President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Executive Order of 29 October 1942. This high military award is given for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service to the United States. It is usually reserved for senior officers, and it was a historic and rare distinction when it was bestowed on Ret. CW3 Joe B. Crosby on 9 September 1986. He received numerous distinctions over his Army career, but the Legion of Merit inducted him into an exclusive group that includes Ret. General and later President Dwight D. Eisenhower and Ret. General Colin Powell. Joe’s amazing journey from a start in rural, segregated Alabama to exceptional service to his country at home and in Asia, Europe and Latin America are such that call for a biography and an obituary could never do his All-American story and legacy full justice. In 1962, he graduated from Sandtown High School, in Millbrook and went on receive dozens of diplomas and certificates of leadership and other training from the United States Army. As a family man, it was on 21 August 1963 that he married the love of his life, Callie Mae (n. Barber), who he met at age six and remained married to for fifty-seven (57) years. He and Callie raised to accomplished daughters, Mrs. Daphne Danielle Crosby (Actress) and Dr. Margaret Crosby-Arnold, PhD (Professor), between Europe, the United States and Asia, and they poured the same love, encouragement and energy into “The Grandbaby,” Erin Eckstein (Teacher). Joe was not one to boast and talk, but was a man of action. He was reserved, preferring to give and “just be nice to people”. He let the record and recognitions of his military service and post-retirement service to his country as the CEO of J.B. Crosby, Inc. speak for him. The highest respect we can pay to him is to follow his example and do what he did and let his extraordinary record speak. Some of these are included here. As he promised soon after her sunset in March, Joe departed on 30 April 2021 to meet Callie in heaven for his “Tea-cake.” His memory and legacy will live on in the hearts and minds of his family, friends, and associates around the world. He is deeply missed by his daughters Daphne (Robert Berlin), Margaret (ex. Artis) and granddaughter, Erin. His beloved siblings will miss their brother, Joe and these are Grant Crosby (ex. Vivian), Walter Crosby (Lula), Doris Roberts, Sue Bonner (Murphy), Mamie Long and Patricia Long. He is also adoringly remembered by numerous nieces, nephews and relatives. Some followed in his footsteps in the Army, and many worked for J.B. Crosby, Inc., - the thirty-three-million-dollar construction company that he founded - and helped make it an American, small business success story. These include Ret. Master Sergeant Bert James, Gilbert Long, Walter Crosby, Jr., Sonja Crenshaw (first employee), Craig Crosby, David Crosby, Keina Houser and Dora Johnson. He is also held in dear memory by the Coosada/Elmore/Millbrook community of lifetime friends, including Jimmy Prince along with the couple’s many friends, Elvira Pritchett, Dorothy Woolfolk, Carolyn Rhodes, the Reeves Family and so many others. He will be missed, also, by Callie’s extended Mayo and Jackson families as well as the members of Lighthouse Church. List of Ret. CW3 Joe B. Crosby’s Army Decorations, Medals, Badges, Citations and Campaign Ribbons: Vietnam Service Medal with 4 Bronze Service Stars Army Commendation Medal with 2 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters Good Conduct Medal (4th Award) National Defense Service Medal Humanitarian Service Medal NCO Professional Development Ribbon (NUM 3) Army Service Ribbon 3 Overseas Service Bars Overseas Service Ribbon (NUM 3) Army Achievement Medal Expert Qualification Badge (M-16) Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation Badge with Pals Meritorious Service Medal Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal Legion of Merit Selected List of J.B. Crosby, Inc. Construction Projects and Recognitions: Air National Guard – Renovation of Hangers/Jet Wash Rack, Dannely Field Maxwell Airforce Base – Installation of heavy-duty Base Drainage Systems, Demolition of Jet Testing Pad, Renovation of Air War College and countless other projects Gunter Airforce Base – Numerous Construction Projects Corp of Engineers -- Numerous Dike and Levy Projects along the Gulf of Mississippi and Alabama Corp of Engineers – Dredging of Black Warrior River, Clark County, Alabama Constructed Drydock on the Tom Bigby River for Paddlewheel Boat Veterans Affairs Department – Numerous Construction and Renovation Projects for Birmingham, Montgomery, Tuscaloosa and Tuskegee VA Facilities Prattville Fire Station – Constructed Alabama State University – Constructed Olean Black Underwood Tennis Center and Patterson Track City of Montgomery – First Renovation of Grain Silos in association with the development of River Walk Montgomery Biscuit Stadium – Constructed Headhouse Hyundai Plant – Caisson and Deep Foundation Construction for Engine Plant and Administrative Buildings Constructed 4 Hotels (Sylacauga, Hope Hull and Montgomery) Montgomery Area Family Sunshine Center – Renovation Alabama River Parkway Apartments – Construction Erinwood Neighborhood – Development J. B. Crosby, Inc. – Office Construction Dexter Avenue Baptist Church – Renovation Goodship Church, Millbrook, Alabama – Construction Mt. Zion Baptist Church, Elmore, Alabama – Construction Lighthouse Church, Millbrook, Alabama – Design & Construction

Tributes

Ret. Cw3 Joe Billy Crosby

December 17, 1942 - April 30, 2021