Joel LeRoy Whittaker
Age 88 passed away June 13, 2023 at St. Luke’s Hospital, Meridian, Idaho.
Joel married Sherryl Dunn October 5, 1962 thus beginning 60 years of joy and love. He was father to Joelene and Gregory; Grandfather to Hailey, Cameron, Carley, Thomas, Christian, and Piercen.
Joel was a man with a desire to touch lives for good. His legacy is innate kindness shown to family, friends, colleagues, and strangers. He was a man of integrity and character. He taught his children to serve others, work hard, do your best, and make your word your bond. He looked for the needs of others and willingly provided assistance to them.
Joel bore his challenges without complaint until his last breath. Even in his last few weeks he always offered kindness and candy to his care givers along with a smile, a thumbs up, and a “Good”.
Joel was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints willingly serving in three bishoprics, three branch presidencies, two stake mission presidencies, and two high priest group leaderships. He was a thoughtful “home teacher” who sought to know those he served assisting them though valuing them and serving them.
He loved his family. He was a honorable husband, father, and grandfather.
He left the world a better place.
Joel was drafted into the US Army in 1958 serving in Iran and was Honorably Discharged as a Sergeant.
Joel had a 37 year career with the US Federal Bureau of Reclamation culminating with him being the Northwest Regional Construction Contracts Administrator overseeing awarding projects for work in Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Western Montana, and Western Wyoming from 1978 thru retirement in 1990.
During his career he worked in California, New Mexico, Arizona, and Idaho including the following projects:
- California – San Luis Dam / Canal Project distributing water from Central to Southern California providing irrigation and drinking water to the Central Valley and Los Angeles Valley
- New Mexico – Nambe Pueblo Dam construction to provide water storage and management for the area
- Arizona – Central Arizona Project Buckskin Mountain Tunnel to complete a 7-mile long / 24’ diameter concrete lined tunnel that received water pumped out of the Colorado River 824’ below to enter and pass thru the tunnel into a canal system delivering water to Phoenix and Tucson
- Idaho – One of many projects was the Grand Coulee Dam Generator Replacement to support continued electricity supply to approximately 2 million households
Per Joel’s request a private family graveside service will be held at the Idaho State Veteran’s Cemetery in Boise, Idaho.