Merton "Joe" Joseph Whitley, Jr. age 83, of Smithfield passed away on January 4, 2025, in UNC Johnston Health of Smithfield. Born in Johnston County on September 8, 1941, he was the son of the late Merton and Delphia Whitley and a devoted husband to Shirley Morgan Whitley, deceased, for 42 years. Joe was a brother to Herman Howard Whitley, Charles Olive Whitley (deceased), and Nancy Whitley Ham (deceased) and a loving uncle and great-uncle to many nieces and nephews.

Mr. Whitley graduated from Smithfield High School in 1961 and enlisted in the Army, serving for two years in the Vietnam War, with an honorable discharge in 1969. He graduated from Johnston Technical Institute in 1974 with Agriculture Science and Mechanization as he moved into farming and co-founded Whitley Brothers Farm with his late brother Charles O. Whitley.  After retiring from farming, he worked as a supervisor with the Johnston County Council on Aging Elderly Housing Program for many years until he fully retired.  He was a member of Sardis Baptist Church and the Veterans of Foreign War (VFW) Post 5886.

Surviving are his brother, Herman Howard Whitley, wife Carolyn Whitley (Smithfield, NC); sister-in-law Rebecca Whitley (Smithfield, NC); and several nieces and nephews.

Graveside service will be held on Friday, January 10, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. in the Sardis Baptist Church Cemetery. The public may pay respects to Joe on Thursday, January 9, 2025, from 8:00 - 4:00 p.m. at Parrish Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Sardis Baptist Church, 5444 Brogden Road, Smithfield, NC 27577.