William Henry "Joe" McCutcheon Sr.

William “Joe” Henry McCutcheon Sr. passed away peacefully at home in Virginia Beach, surrounded by his loving family, on March 1, 2026, just days before his 85th birthday. Born in Scranton, South Carolina, on March 4, 1941, Joe was one of eight children and was preceded in death by his siblings Lavon, Gladys, Jimmy, Helen, and Larry.

A graduate of Maury High School in Norfolk, Joe remained closely tied to his Berkley roots and lifelong friends. After completing a joint apprenticeship in plumbing and pipefitting-refrigeration, he founded W. H. McCutcheon Plumbing and Contracting Company, Inc., which he owned and operated for fifty-five years while also partnering in numerous construction projects. He took special pride in the hands-on work of building homes, always the first to arrive and the last to leave.

An accomplished athlete in his youth, Joe excelled in swimming, football, baseball, and boxing. In adulthood he enjoyed racquetball, golf, and competitive bowling, winning several local tournaments. He cherished his close circle of friends who gathered faithfully for breakfast and lively games of Liar’s Poker. Above all, Joe found peace on the water, sharing his love of the ocean with his sons and grandsons through years of local fishing and deep-sea adventures. He embraced life fully, enjoying family beach vacations, fishing trips to Baja, Mexico, skiing at Lake Tahoe, and the excitement of casino poker tables. A formidable card player, he frequently traveled to Las Vegas and Atlantic City and took great pride in competing in the World Series of Poker.

Despite facing significant health challenges, Joe met each one with the spirit of a competitor. A devoted provider, he worked tirelessly to give his family the life he believed they deserved. High school sweethearts, he and his wife Shirley eloped to South Carolina at age sixteen and shared sixty-nine years of marriage. Joe was happiest when his entire family was together; just three days before his passing, he declared it the happiest day of his life because “the gang’s all here.”

He is survived by his devoted wife, Shirley (Snellings) McCutcheon; their four children, William “Joe” McCutcheon Jr., Talmage “Jimmy” McCutcheon, April McCutcheon, and Troy McCutcheon (Betsy); nine grandchildren, Christopher (Ashley), Maddie, T.J., Tyler, Kevin, Kory, Kendall (Marissa), Brigitte, and Matthew; and seven great-grandchildren. Joe will be remembered for his striking blue eyes, his generous spirit, and his readiness to help anyone in need without being asked. His family finds comfort knowing he is at rest, perhaps already finding a good fishing spot or a card game on the other side. He remains their hero.