Joe Waddington

We celebrate Joe Rudolph Waddington going home to be with his Lord and Savior today.
He was born Feb 18, 1935, in Philadelphia, PA, and was reared in that area before moving to
New Jersey. He was the second oldest of five children -- his two sisters, Honey and Pat, and
his two brothers, Tom and Bill. While in the Airforce, he attended InterVarsity meetings where he met the Lord on May 8 th , 1955.
Sometime time later, he also met his wife at those meetings, and they married on May 19 th ,
1956. After reading the book Through the Gates of Splendor and learning of Nate Saint’s
ministry, he saw how God could use an aircraft mechanic in missions around the world. He and
Marilyn packed their family of six and moved to Texas to attend LeTourneau University’s
missions aviation program. Following his completion of that program, they applied to Wycliffe
Bible translators and headed to the Philippines in 1964. They faithfully served as support
personnel for sixty years with Wycliffe both in the Philippines and the United States. Joe’s
ministries in the Philippines began with his serving as an airplane and helicopter mechanic and
later included being the superintendent of the Manila Center. He and Marilyn returned to the
States to become part of the field training staff for Wycliffe’s Jungle Camp in Uvalde, TX.
Following this, they moved to Miami, FL, to manage the mission’s guest house. Joe and
Marilyn’s final move brought them to the JAARS Center in Waxhaw, NC, where they continued
their ministries in the housekeeping department and the clinic respectively. Marylin preceded
him in death four years ago on July 5, 2020. Favorite song – “To God be the Glory” -- He always sang and worshiped very enthusiastically! A
blessing to all those around! Favorite Verse -- Prov 17:22 – “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine.” He lived this out daily
with his walk with the Lord. This kept him grounded and praising the Lord in all things – a very
humble person. Everyone who knows him will miss his optimistic, caring personality and smile.
His favorite hobby was to continue to share his testimony through the giving out of scriptures
verses written on silver aluminum coins and take the time to pray with those he encountered.
This was the continuation of his mission “to Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the ends of the
world.” Acts 1:8. He is survived by his brother Bill Waddington, his sister Pat Zimmerman, and his four children:
Joseph Mark Waddington of PA, Ruth (Tom) Whitlock of Pisgah Forest, NC, Jan (Doug) Lyford
of Waxhaw, NC, and John (Kathie) Waddington of Zanesville, OH. He has five grandchildren
and five great-grandchildren. We are planning a victory celebration June 22nd at Waxhaw Baptist Church in Waxhaw at 1PM to 3PM .