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Joe Willie Hart Sr., age 68, of Portage, passed away on August 18, 2025, at his residence. “Surrounded by his village.” Joe was born April 1, 1958, in Sledge, Mississippi, a son of the late Luvenia Ewing and Johnny Hart.
Joe was preceded in death by his daughter, Chrishon Hart; five brothers, Bertram Hayes, Willie Hayes, Curtis Hart, James Hart Sr., and Johnny (Sonny) Hart; three sisters, Lula Collins, Florida (Flo) Hart, and Wendy Williams; and one stepson, James Nance.
Joe, as he was affectionately known, was a shining light in the lives of all who had the privilege of knowing him. His journey on this earth was one marked by love. His passing has left a void in the hearts of his family, friends, and many more whose lives were touched by him. We asked that you remember him not for the way his life ended, but for the way it was lived, and for the profound impact it had on the lives of those who had the pleasure of knowing him.
He would occasionally attend New Jerusalem Baptist Church with his sister, as well as assist her with decorating and set-up for fellowship dinners.
Joe enjoyed working with his hands. He had a passion for fixing broken things, there was nothing his hands touched that couldn’t be fixed. “So he thought anyway.” Allow me to throw a little shade/spill the tea. “He was alright.” Nothing to write home about. Don’t make sense to pump his head up, it was already big. Okay, alright, I’ll stop! Yes, if I must say so myself a brother’s hands was gifted. He was that fella of many trades, from building to repairing, taping to mudding, painting to working on cars. Joe was that man!
Joe is survived by his daughter, LaTasha Hart of Milwaukee; his son Joe Willie Hart Jr. of Milwaukee; his five brothers, Clyde Hart of Jacksonville, James Hart of Memphis, Rosevelt Hart of Chicago, Willie Ewing, Robert Earl Ewing of Indianapolis, and Nathaneil Hart of Chicago; his six sisters, Dora (Thomas) Brooks of Crenshaw, Bertha (Willie) Anderson of Greenwood, Shirley (Robert) Johnson of Memphis, Mary Brown of Indianapolis, Johnnie Hart of Milwaukee, and Darlene (Donald) Spicer Sr. of Portage; his brother-in-law, Paul Mc Craig of Memphis; his grandchildren, Lula, Shalia, Alanna, Malaysia, James, Diannis Hart; his great grandson Jamir Hart; his wife Ella Nance Hart of Milwaukee; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and other close relatives.
Arrangements by Hohner Funeral Home.
