WILMINGTON — Joe Raymond Hurley, 87, passed away peacefully on December 27, 2024 in Wilmington, NC. Born on January 8, 1937, Joe was the son of the late Leona Beard Hurley Blair and Kenneth Hurley of Wilmington, Ohio.
A native of Wilmington, Ohio, Joe graduated from Wilmington High School in 1954. Eager to join the work force, he began his employment with the National Cash Register Company where he worked from 1954 to 1958. He began his career in insurance when he moved to Chillicothe, Ohio to work for Prudential, and later transferred to Ironton in 1963. A talented businessman, Joe went on to acquire Keller Insurance in 1968, forming Joe Hurley Insurance, and later purchased Clay Insurance in 1985. Hurley Insurance was one of Joe’s proudest achievements and is still in operation as a family owned business. He enjoyed sharing his story and valued hard work in others.
Joe was active in his community, as a lifetime Elks member and member of the Ironton Rotary for over 20 years.
An avid golfer and major football fan, Joe served as an usher at his beloved Ohio State University for 26 years. He spent many years cheering on the Ironton Tigers, Marshall Thundering Herd and Duke Basketball teams in addition to the OSU Buckeyes. He was an active member of Ironton Country Club and Bellefonte Country Club while living in Ohio. Joe retired to Wilmington, NC in 1995 where he resided and was a member of Landfall Country Club and later Pine Valley Country Club. He shared his passion for golf with his wife, children and grandchildren. Joe enjoyed reading and spending time at the beach. He attended Eastwood Community Church.
Joe is survived by his wife of 29 years, Pamela Sue (Susie) Hurley, his sons Mike (Alina) Hurley of Ironton, Ohio and Steve Hurley of Parkersburg, WV and daughters Beth Anderson (Bob) of Mt. Pleasant, SC, Cynda Schuttera (Don) of Hilton Head, SC, and Kathy Weisgarber (Pat) of Ironton, Ohio. Also survived are stepdaughters Melissa Kilpatrick (Trey) of Mount Olive, NC and Heather Miller of Wilmington, NC. Joe leaves behind thirteen grandchildren and nine great grandchildren, who he dearly loved. He is also survived by his close friend and Cousin, Pauletta Harp (Dave) along with his former wife and mother of his five children, JoAnn Hurley of Bluffton, SC. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Robert (Bobby) Hurley.
His family would like to express their gratitude to his home health and hospice caregivers from Amedisys and the Davis Center for their kindness and compassion. The family requests those who wish to express sympathy to consider donating to Lower Cape Fear Hospice.
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