Joseph "Joe" Casper Westermeier

Joseph “Joe” Casper Westermeier of Clinton, SC passed away Saturday, October 7, 2023 in Simpsonville, SC
Born in Herrin, IL, he grew up in his hometown of Zeigler, IL. His elementary education was in Zeigler schools, completing his secondary education in 1947 at Cathedral High School in Belleville, IL. He attended Southern Illinois University and completed many college night courses while in the military.
Joe retired from the US Army after serving his country for almost 25 years. His service included several stateside assignments, Korean Conflict, three tours in Germany during the Cold War, and two tours in Vietnam, one as the Engineer Intelligence Advisor at the Vietnamese Army Chief of Engineers. His many medals, commendations, and letters include The Legion of Merit, two Bronze Stars, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Mediation Medal, Good Conduct Medal, along with several campaign and service ribbons. Joe was inducted into the Laurens County Hall of Heros in 2016.
Upon retiring from the military, he embarked on a second career as co-founder/co-owner of Carolina Beautiful in Clinton, SC, helping build a successful business from the ground up. In June 1994 he sold his interest to his partner Billy Ballard and started his second retirement.
During retirement he and Shirley traveled visiting old military friends and spending time with family. Joe loved exploring old cemeteries, genealogy and tracing his paternal grandparents relatives back to 1656 in Germany. Entertaining his grandchildren, theme parks, snow skiing, water sports, and college football provided an active life.
Joe and Shirley did volunteer work with teenagers for 11 years at Connie Maxwell Childrens Home in Greenwood, SC, where he volunteered in establishing a greenhouse, and served a term on their Executive Board. Joe was active in 12 step work, serving in various positions that included two terms at the state level.
He was a member of Saint Boniface Catholic Church in Joanna, SC., a lifelong member of the Knights of Columbus Council 724 in Columbia, SC., Knights of Columbus Council 15960 in Joanna, SC; and the American Legion Post 56 in Clinton, SC.
He is survived by his wife of 71 years, Shirley Mae Brasher Westermeier of the home, a son Dale Casper Westermeier (Jan) of Fountain Inn, SC; a daughter Gayla Sue Burnett (Tom) of Cloverdale, IN; a brother James Taylor Westermeier (Carol) of Simpsonville SC; four grandchildren, Tabetha Ann Speer (Andrew) of Indianapolis, IN; Christopher Dale Cummings of Indianapolis, IN; Kelly Wilson Prestel (Joel) of Fountain Inn, SC; William Casper Westermeier of Fountain Inn, SC; and five great-grandchildren, Shane Christopher and Joseph Dale Burgoon , Alexander Dale Cummings, James David and Andrew Joseph Prestel.
Joe was predeceased by his parents, William C. and Mary M. Westermeier; a son, “Baby Boy” Westermeier; two sisters, Margaret Ann Burgard and Mary Joan Polivick, and one brother, William Carlyle Westermeier.
A Rosary will be held at 9:30 AM, Monday, October 16, 2023 at Saint Boniface Catholic Church.
A Funeral Mass will be held 10:00 AM, Monday, October 16, 2023 at Saint Boniface Catholic Church with Father Hugo officiating. Visitation will be held immediately following the service from 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM at the church.
Committal with Full Military Honors will follow at M.J. “Dolly” Cooper Veterans Cemetery in Anderson, SC.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Saint Boniface Catholic Church, 403 Main Street, Joanna, SC 29351 or Hospice of Laurens County, PO Box 178, Clinton, SC 29325.

Gray Funeral Home of Clinton is assisting the Westermeier family with arrangements.