Howard Joseph (Joe) Easter, Jr. went to meet his savior on Thursday January 5. He was born December 20, 1929 in Amelia County, and served his country as a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division. Joe was a farmer for life. As an excavation contractor he designed and built over 300 ponds including the lake at the Amelia Wildlife Management Area. He also traveled to numerous foreign countries on missionary projects. He was a deacon, trustee, teacher and choir member at Amelia Baptist Church. He loved flying airplanes and riding motorcycles. He is survived by his wife Julia of 59 years. He is also survived by three sons, Howard the III (Jacki), Jeffery, David (Kathy), and a daughter in law Deborah of Chesterfield. He was preceded in death by his son Douglas and a daughter in law Louise. Other survivors include grandchildren, Joseph IV (Jill), Michael (Kristina), Douglas Jr. (Becky), Jessica McFadden (Keith), Derek, Danielle and Hanna; six great grand children; brothers, Mitchell (Kathy), Pete (Jeannie) and Garland (JoAnne); sisters Rebecca Denny (Randall), Rachel Dickerson (Duke) and Dana Donahue. The family will greet friends at Hillsman-Hix Funeral Home on Sunday January 8 from 2-5 p.m. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. on Monday January 9 at Amelia Baptist Church, followed by interment at the Amelia Veterans Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to the Amelia Baptist Church Memorial Fund or Amelia Educational Foundation