Andrew Joseph Petty (known as A. Joseph Petty), 101, of Walla Walla, Washington, formerly of Prineville, Oregon, passed away in his sleep at Wheatland Village Retirement and Assisted Living in Walla Walla.

Joe was born in Goshen, Oregon, on July 27, 1919, to Riley and Mamie (Sheridan) Petty. He grew up on a farm and completed early education in the Creswell, Oregon, area. In 1943, he earned his B.S. degree in agriculture engineering at Oregon State University. Later he received his civil engineering rating. On Nov. 26, 1943, Joe married Virginia Park at the First Baptist Church in Redmond, Oregon.

Joe was employed with Soil Conservation Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture working in Redmond, Baker City and Lakeview, Oregon, before transferring to Elko, Nevada, until his retirement in 1968.

Joe and Virginia returned to Oregon to acreage along the John Day River near Mitchell, Oregon, until failing health required a move to Prineville, Oregon, and later to Walla Walla, Washington.

He enjoyed doing outdoor activities with his family. He took pride in his work projects, showing friends and family unique sites.

Joe is preceded in death by his son, Karl Petty, in 2006.

Joe is survived by his wife of 77 years, Virginia Petty, of Walla Walla, Washington; daughters, Cheryl (David) Dine of Portland, Oregon, Carolyn (Randolph) Ford of Boise, Idaho; son, Joel Petty of Sandpoint, Idaho; seven grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.

Whispering Pines Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements: 3168 NE Third St., Prineville, OR 97754, 541-416-9733.