News Summary
Jim Joseph, a renowned community leader and expert in industrial liquid filtration, has passed away at the age of 90. A vital figure in Williamsburg, he contributed significantly to community governance and the industrial sector. His legacy will be remembered through the many lives he touched and the improvements he spearheaded in local governance and industrial efficiency. He is survived by his children and grandchildren, with funeral services scheduled for later this week.
Williamsburg, VA
Jim Joseph, a respected community leader and expert in industrial liquid filtration, passed away on October 21, 2025, at the age of 90. His death marks the loss of a significant figure in both the Richmond Hill neighborhood and the industrial filtration sector.
Born in 1935 in Niagara Falls, New York, Jim was the eldest of four siblings in a family led by James and Helen Joseph. He graduated from Clarkson College in Potsdam, NY, where he met his future wife, Marjorie Castle Joseph, who has since preceded him in death. The couple raised two children, Lynn Joseph and Jim Joseph, in Syracuse, NY, before eventually relocating to Williamsburg, VA.
In Williamsburg, Jim Joseph became an integral part of the community. He played a crucial role in founding the Richmond Hill Homeowners Association and served multiple terms as president, along with various board and committee positions until 2021. His dedication to local governance extended to being a charter member of the Neighborhood Council of Williamsburg, established in 2001. In recognition of his tireless efforts towards community improvement, he received the City of Williamsburg’s inaugural Mace Bearer’s Award in 2022. Jim also served on the City of Williamsburg Planning Commission from 2007 to 2012, contributing to the city’s growth and development during his tenure.
Outside of community service, Jim Joseph was a well-regarded authority in the field of industrial liquid filtration. He specialized in metalworking coolants and established Joseph Marketing to provide consulting services to major metalworking and automotive manufacturers. He was an active contributor to trade publications, including International Filtration News, and authored the book Coolant/Metalworking Fluids Filtration, with its third edition released as Technology Update. Furthermore, he invented advanced cross-flow filtration systems, such as the Cross Flow Filter, significantly improving efficiency in industrial applications including manufacturing processes.
Jim Joseph is survived by his two children, Lynn Joseph and Jim Joseph, who is married to Christopher Warns. He also leaves behind two grandchildren, Alicia Joseph, who is married to Adam Navarro, and JP Joseph, along with one great-grandchild, Noah Navarro.
Friends and family can pay their respects during a visitation scheduled for October 23, 2025, at Nelsen Funeral Home from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. A funeral service will take place the following day, October 24, 2025, at 11:00 am at the same location, followed by a reception. Burial will be private.
The legacy of Jim Joseph will continue to influence both the community of Williamsburg and the industrial sector he dedicated his life to, ensuring that his contributions will not be forgotten.
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Additional Resources
- Daily Press: Jim Joseph Obituary
- Wikipedia: Jim Joseph
- People: Virginia Man Sentenced
- Google Search: Jim Joseph Williamsburg
- WYDaily: Mace Bearer’s Award for Jim Joseph
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Jim Joseph
Author: STAFF HERE WILLIAMSBURG WRITER
The WILLIAMSBURG STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREWilliamsburg.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Williamsburg, James City County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Williamsburg Farmers Market, Yorktown Market Days, and Busch Gardens Food & Wine Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Williamsburg Chamber of Commerce and Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, plus leading businesses in education and hospitality that power the local economy such as College of William & Mary, The Williamsburg Winery, and Sodexo. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREVirginiaBeach.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Virginia's dynamic landscape.
