Joseph William Robeson, 87, of Hagerstown, passed away Friday, March 25, 2022, at Fahrney-Keedy Home and Village.

Born Monday, May 14, 1934, in Mount Savage, he was the son of the late Ellis Owen Robeson and the late Olive Ruth (Fike) Robeson.

Joe graduated from Beall High School in Frostburg.

He went on to attend Fairmont State and Shepherd Colleges in West Virginia where he earned degrees in business administration and English and later earned his master's degree in English from Shippensburg University.

Joe also attended numerous other college and universities to get a master's equivalence in administration and supervision.

Joe was a veteran of the U.S. Navy, where he served as a radio operator.

Joe taught English at South Hagerstown High School for 12 years, where he started the Senior Boys Club and coached basketball.

He spent two years as vice principal at Boonsboro High School and was principal for 18 years, retiring in 1990.

Joe spent six years from 1963 to 1968 as executive director of Hagerstown Playgrounds.

He also taught night classes for the American Bankers Institute and for Penn State at Mont Alto, Pa.

Joe was a member of Emmanuel United Methodist Church, where he served as Sunday School teacher and usher.

He also served on numerous boards and committees over the years.

Joe was an avid runner and fan of local track and field and cross country.

He enjoyed nature, high school athletics, literature and poetry.

Joe was a quality real human being dedicated to the service of others, especially young people.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Betty Lorraine Robeson; son, Keith W. Robeson and wife, Liliana, of Germantown; daughter, Kathy Jo Valentine, of Hagerstown; two grandsons, Nicholas Joseph Valentine, of Oceanside, Calif., and Trajan Robeson, of Germantown; two sisters, Rosemary Grimes and Ina Lee Donius, both of Frostburg.

He was preceded in death by his sister, Anna Ruth Winfield, and brothers, James Robeson, Jack Robeson, Donald Robeson, Robert Robeson, and Richard Robeson.

Memorial services will be held Thursday, March 31, 2022, at 11 a.m. at Douglas A. Fiery Funeral Home, 1331 Eastern Boulevard North, Hagerstown.

Family will receive friends at the funeral home on Wednesday, March 30, 2022, from 6 to 8 p.m.

Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in the name of Joseph W. Robeson to Hospice of Washington County, 11370 Caring Pathway, Hagerstown, MD 21742, or www.hospiceofwc.org.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.douglasfiery.com