Obituary of Billy Joe Wauhop

Billy Joe Wauhop, Jr. ("BJ"), 76, beloved husband, father and grandfather, died peacefully on January 5, 2020 at his home in Clayton, North Carolina. Born on October 29, 1943 in Beckley, West Virginia, he was the son of the late Margie Wauhop and Billy Joe Wauhop, Sr. BJ graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in Beckley, West Virginia in 1961 and West Virginia Institute of Technology in 1965 with a degree in mechanical engineering. He began his career designing blast furnaces for steel mills in western Pennsylvania. In 1976, BJ began working in the concrete block industry, eventually establishing and managing his own engineering firm. Over the next 43 years, he provided engineering solutions for concrete/masonry customers across the United States and Europe, becoming an expert in solving complex manufacturing and design problems. He was also an inventor, holding eleven patents in curing methods and block designs. He was an active member of the National Concrete Masonry Association ("NCMA"), serving in leadership roles with the association for decades. In 2018, the NCMA recognized his expertise and industry contributions by presenting him with a Lifetime Achievement award. BJ was a past president of the Belvidere Lion's Club, recently receiving a 45-Year Service Award; a past member of the Belvidere School Board; and a former lay leader at the Belvidere United Methodist Church. Most recently, he was an engineering contractor/supervisor for the Pequest River Utility Municipal Authority of Warren County. BJ is survived by his wife Adella; children, Brian Wauhop (wife Amy), Margie Riedel (husband Fred), and John Wauhop; grandchildren, Matthew Riedel, Max Wauhop, and Thomas Riedel; two brothers, Ernest Mitchell Wauhop and David Wauhop. A visitation time will be held from 6:00-8:00 PM, Friday, January 17, 2020, at MacFadden Funeral Home, 325 Hardwick Street, Belvidere, NJ 07823, (908) 475-2210, www.macfaddenfuneralhome.com. And from 10:00-11:00 AM, Saturday, January 18, 2020 at the Belvidere United Methodist Church, 219 Hardwick Street, Belvidere, New Jersey 07823, with a Memorial Service following at 11:00 AM at the Belvidere United Methodist Church. Online condolences are to be sent to www.MacFaddenFuneralHome.com Donations in lieu of flowers, may be sent to Gary Sinise Foundation, P.O. Box 368, Woodlawn Hills, CA 91365 or Belvidere United Methodist Church, 219 Hardwick St, Belvidere, NJ 07823.