Fallen Hero: Retired Sergeant First Class William A. “Joe” Harbin, Jr.

Grenada, MS

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Funeral Home

McKibben and Guinn Funeral Service

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Obituary

Military Service Tribute, Honors, and Obituary:

Recognizing and Honoring a Fallen Hero, Who Served Within the Mississippi National Guard. “Fallen, Yet Not Forgotten”.

In recognition of our proud American tradition of honorable service which our military men and women have given to their country and our State, we honor a Fallen Hero.  Our nation, our state, and the National Guard Association of MS (NGAMS) regard the memorializing of its retired military deceased as an honorable and sacred obligation.

Another great Soldier and Fallen Hero has been released from duty, passed from our ranks on August 14, 2025, and has moved on to his heavenly home. Retired Sergeant First Class William A. “Joe” Harbin, Jr, age 95, who had served in the 631st Field Artillery Group has departed and gone to a better place with our good Lord.

It takes a special person to serve within the military for their country, giving up their family time, comfort, and safety for their country, ultimately for all Americans to enjoy their freedoms, safety, and way of life. We now applaud you for your service to our country.  A special message from General Douglas McArthur remains applicable today for our servicemen that have passed: “Old Soldiers never die; they just fade away”.

Rest in Peace Soldier.  We applaud your patriotism, sacrifices, and brave efforts in serving our country and your family for their support of your service. We thank you for your service. Without your efforts and your families’ support, our country would not stand so boldly, shine so bright, and live so free.

You now have earned a rest, so go fly with the Angels, go rest high on that mountain; your work on earth is done. Go to heaven a-shoutin’ Love for the Father and the Son.

Another great Soldier has gone home, “Fallen, Yet Not Forgotten, Soldier for Life”.

Obituary, Visitation, and Service Details:

Mr. William A. “Joe” Harbin, Jr., 95, of Grenada, passed away Thursday, August 14, 2025 at his residence.  He was born July 9, 1930 in Grenada to William A. and Bernise Gant Harbin.  Joe was a 1951 graduate of J.Z. George High School where he enjoyed basketball and later continued playing on the basketball team at McQuay.  He was an Ole Miss fan as well as a Nascar enthusiast.  Mr. Harbin was a charter member and past president of Zero Hunting Club.  His love for the outdoors led him to be an excellent hunter and fisherman.  He loved sharing his catch with friends and family.  He fished several times a week until he was 93 years old.  He was also well known around Grenada for his Brunswick stew.  Joe was a Mason in The Eckford Bell 32nd Division.  He retired from the Army National Guard after serving 22 years and 7 years in the Navy Reserves.  Joe’s working career included 14 years at McQuay in Grenada and later owner of Joe’s One Stop Service Station and Joe’s Motor Oil Co.  When he retired and sold his warehouse, he donated it to the purchaser for the building of a church.  He was a devoted member of Emmanuel Baptist Church in Grenada.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM Tuesday, August 19, 2025 at McKibben and Guinn Funeral Service with Dr. Brent Barker and Rev. J. Barry Worrell officiating.  Interment with military honors will follow in the Woodlawn Memorial Park.  The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service Tuesday at McKibben and Guinn.

Survivors include two daughters, Gale Lovell(Dennis) and Kay Worsham(Ronnie); four grandchildren, Tiffany McDaniel(Brent), Amber Duke(Phil), Jody Welch(David) and Adam Harbin; two great-grandsons, Taylor Fant and Colt Harbin; daughter-in-law, Martha Harbin and a nephew, Jimmy Paul Harbin.

Mr. Joe was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Ruth Taylor Harbin; sons, William Brent Harbin and Randy Audwin Harbin; brother, Jimmy Paul Harbin; and daughters-in-law, Marcia McLain Harbin and Deborah Jones Harbin.

Phil Duke, Taylor Fant, Adam Harbin, Colt Harbin, Brent McDaniel and David Welch will honor Mr. Joe by serving as pallbearers.  George Byrd, Jimmy Paul Harbin, Ben McElwrath, Barry Rounsaville, Ernie Skelton and Mike Tingle will serve as honorary pallbearers.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.mckibbenandguinn.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to McKibben and Guinn Funeral Service in Grenada, (662-307-2694).