Joseph Clark Papa Joe Empey

     Our beloved father and husband, Joseph Clark “Papa Joe” Empey, age 83, peacefully passed away Tuesday, June 6, 2023, in St. George, Utah. He was born August 1, 1939, in St. George to Clark Foster and Lila Searle Empey. On April 8, 1961, he married Barbara Jean Hirschi in the St. George LDS Temple. They had four children and later divorced. On December 25, 1976, he married Sylvia Yvonne Patten Mundt in St. George. She preceded him in death on October 9, 2007. He married Irene Lucille Brown on February 19, 2011.  

    A lifelong resident of St. George, Joe enjoyed a wonderful life full of service, friendship, and family.  He played football at Dixie College, where he earned his associate’s degree. Joe attended the University of Utah on a band scholarship. He worked as an electrician, running Empey Electric with his father.  He became a respected chief building inspector for the City of St. George, working there for over 30 years.  Joe loved serving in the Utah National Guard, earning the rank of lieutenant colonel. He served as a volunteer fireman for over 60 years and as the fire chief for several years. In 2021, Joe was honored as the grand marshal of the Dixie Roundup Rodeo for his many years of service in the St. George Lion’s Club. He was a member of the St. George Elks Lodge and proud of his “Temple Work,” lighting the St. George Temple’s Christmas lights each year. He enjoyed hunting, riding horses, and being in the Southwest desert and mountains. 

    Papa Joe will be remembered for his famous one-liners, love of St. George, rugged work ethic, and unconditional love for his family, friends, and all who knew him.

    Survivors include his wife, Irene of Ivins, Utah; children: Kimberly (Cliff) Christensen; Nancy (Jason) Hauck; Lisa (Brian) Rebman; Courtney (Amber) Empey; stepchildren: Kenny (Barbara) Mundt; Maureen (Mark Squillace) Ryan; Patrick Mundt; Jeanne Beckert; Samuel Beckert; Kirk (Jodie) Balliff; bonus daughter, Melanie (Trevor) Terry; 30 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren and one sister, Jane Empey.  His sister Jessalyn and two grandchildren, Jordan and Cooper, preceded him in death.

    Funeral services will be held Saturday, June 17, 2023, at 11 a.m. at Metcalf Mortuary, 288 W. St. George Boulevard, St. George, Utah. Visitation will be Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. and again Saturday from 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. prior to the services. Interment will follow in the St. George City Cemetery. Friends and family are invited to sign our online guest book at www.metcalfmortuary.com. 

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