Joseph Edward “Joe” Belton, 86, passed away peacefully with his wife at his side Monday, May 18, 2020, at the Lower Cape Fear LifeCare Center.
Joe was born Aug. 2, 1933, in Winston Salem, the fourth child and only son of Edward Shelton Belton and Lois Icenhour Belton. As a child, Joe was called Buddy and was loved dearly and spoiled by his mother and three older sisters.
Joe graduated from Old Town High School and attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill for one year prior to his joining the U.S. Army. He finished basic training on the day the Korean War ended and served his country in Germany and France for two years. Upon his return from service, Joe attended Wake Forest University, graduating six months early.
True to Joe’s style of always being his best at everything he tried, he joined IBM the next day, where he excelled over his 27-year career. During that time, he moved many times with his young family, and over his career, he was awarded the honor of being a member of IBM’s Golden Circle four times with his final year in 1985 being awarded IBM’s Gold Medal. Upon retiring early from IBM, again the next day, Joe joined the Raleigh computer leasing firm of CLG Inc., where he spent 10 happy years.
While driving from Wilmington to Jacksonville making calls for IBM, he saw a small sign on U.S. 17 reading Figure Eight Island. By instinct, he followed the arrow which led to another highlight of his life. Joe built his first cottage on Figure Eight in 1972 and fell in love with the island. In later years, after deciding to retire at Figure Eight, he built another home on the newly developed north end of the island where he lived for 30 years. After several hurricanes, Joe decided to move off the beach and enjoyed the last years of his life in Landfall.
Joe was happiest on the golf course, where he made many friends. He played for years with the “Noon Group” at the Country Club of Landfall and also with the “Riff Raff Group” at Cape Fear Country Club.
Joe was preceded in death by his parents; three sisters; and first wife and the mother of his children, Carolyn Sprinkle Belton.
He is survived by his wife of 23 years, Patricia Burgess Belton; son, Mitchell Edward Belton, and his wife, Margaret, of Richmond; daughter, Julie Belton Kelley of Raleigh; four grandchildren, Carolyn Julianne Kelley, Zachary Belton Kelley, Cailin Emily Belton and Kyle Edward Belton; and one great-grandchild.
Due to the restrictions in place because of the coronavirus, the family will hold a private interment. A celebration of his life will be held later in the summer.
Share online condolences with the family at Andrews Mortuary & Crematory.
