Joseph Dillard Kendall, 85, passed away Tuesday, June 18, 2019, after a brief but valiant battle with multiple terminal illnesses. He did not go "quietly into the night."

Joe was born a fighter. He was delivered a 3 lb. preemie on January 23, 1934, when his mother, Flonnie, slipped on the ice and went into early labor. Dr. Joseph Dillard, his namesake, told his mother to keep him warm in the dresser drawer but that he would most likely not survive. Joe was tenacious!

He was the son of the late William Othell and Fonnie Jordan Kendall. He was born in Columbia, SC, where he would live for most of his entire life.

Joe enlisted in the Navy and served during the Korean Conflict aboard the USS Sicily. After his discharge, he returned home, where he met the love of his life, Gayle Renaye Dickert. They married in 1958 and had 55 happy years together, until her death in 2013. There has never been a greater testament to the vows of marriage than the bond between the two of them.

Joe was employed by Crawford and later Carolina Door, where he enjoyed working as an installer and a repair specialist of commercial and garage doors. He retired after working for over 40 years.

During his retirement he enjoyed working in his garden (green thumb,) watching his South Carolina Gamecocks, summers with Braves Baseball, and spending time with his family.

Joe is survived by his children Laura (Mark) Keels, Joey (Cecy) Kendall, and Lisa (Terry) Glenn. Grandchildren Jordan and Jared Keels, Andrea, Casey, and David Kendall, and Ryan Glenn. He has a brother William Kendall, and sister, Brenda Cribb. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews, and cousins a plenty. Everyone that knew him loved "Uncle Joe!"

Joe was predeceased by a grandson, Brian David Kendall, and a brother Kenneth Irwin Kendall.

A celebration of Joe's life will be held Friday, June 21st, at Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, 7600 Trenholm Road Ext., Columbia. The family will receive visitors at 2 p.m, with memorial service to follow at 3 p.m. Burial will be at Melrose Cemetery, Swansea, SC, following the service.

Please consider a memorial to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation or the Veterans group of one's choice.