I Am Wilshire: Joe Waterfield

I Am Wilshire – Joe Waterfield. Hometown: Knoxville, Tennessee Education: Masters in Electrical Engineering, Rice University Profession: Consulting Engineering Present city: Dallas Tell us about your family. Becky is my wife of nearly 52 years. We have two daughters, Lindsay Wagner and Lauren Waterfield (soon to be Lauren Hulsey). Lindsay and her husband, John, live in Highland Park with our…

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I Am Wilshire – Joe Waterfield.

Hometown: Knoxville, Tennessee

Education: Masters in Electrical Engineering, Rice University

Profession: Consulting Engineering

Present city: Dallas

Tell us about your family.

Becky is my wife of nearly 52 years. We have two daughters, Lindsay Wagner and Lauren Waterfield (soon to be Lauren Hulsey). Lindsay and her husband, John, live in Highland Park with our three granddaughters, Hayden, Ainsley and Emerson. Lauren lives in Fort Worth, her fiancé Joel Hulsey’s hometown.

Tell us about your work or volunteer life.

I retired in 2020, five days before the country shut down with COVID and the stock market plunged. I’ve spent the past two years in close quarters with Becky. Life couldn’t be better. I worked for 38 years as an engineer for two national consulting firms. I built an aircraft plant in Turkey, rebuilt three airports in Micronesia, lit Central Expressway and more.

What are your favorite hobbies?

I’ve become somewhat of a fanatic about birding photography in recent years. I enjoy reading, too.

Where is your favorite place to travel?

My most interesting trip was to China, but my favorite trip was to Zimbabwe. The best birding has been in Costa Rica. Becky and I are trying to see more of the U.S. now.

What brought you to Wilshire and when?

We followed our youngest daughter, Lauren, in 1998, when she started coming to John Brashier’s youth group activities with a friend.

Where are you engaged at Wilshire?

I’ve served on the Finance Committee most recently. My engagement is mostly through Compass Class.

What has surprised you about Wilshire?

After growing up in a Southern Baptist church, I was surprised to learn I could ask questions about faith and the Bible. It was refreshing to find out other people had questions, too.

What do you think God is up to in your life right now?

I think God is trying to reveal more about who he is. I’m just trying to overcome my own obstinacy to allow me to understand. It’s hard to change preconceptions and lifelong teachings.

What’s something interesting most people wouldn’t know about you?

I ran a machine shop for 10 years. Many skilled craftsmen took the time to teach me to be a talented machinist.

What adjectives best describe you?

Tolerant but quick to form an opinion. Open-minded but obstinate. Willing to help but slow to seek help.

If you’d like to be featured in “I Am Wilshire,” email Carolyn Murray at [email protected].

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