A husband, father, coach, driving instructor, and community advocate, the late Joseph L. Joyce wore many hats in the Parkersburg area. Born January 16, 1944 to the late Stephen and Vieva (Hawkins) Joyce in Parkersburg, Joyce graduated from Parkersburg Catholic High School in 1961. After graduating he enlisted in the United States Air Force, serving in Hawaii and Waki Nei, Japan. Joe was one of the first to make radio contact with US forces in Cuba during the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Upon completion of his military service Joe returned home and attended Marshall University where he met the love of his life, Barbara. Graduating in 1969 he embarked on a career in teaching and coaching. He spent three years at his alma mater Parkersburg Catholic before teaching and coaching 34 years at Parkersburg South High School. Coach Joyce spent many seasons coaching football, basketball, golf, and tennis. Including coaching the Parkersburg Catholic boy's tennis team to back to back state championships in 1996 and 1997.

To honor Joyce's love of tennis, his family and friends established the Joseph L. Joyce Memorial Fund for Tennis at the Parkersburg Area Community Foundation to forever benefit the tennis program at Parkersburg Catholic High School.