She was born to Walter and Winnie (Baker) Ballantyne in Dallas, Ore., on Nov, 3, 1929. Joyce spent her early years in the Dallas area, and then her family relocated to Southern Oregon where she graduated from Grants Pass High School in 1947.
She met and married Lester Wilcox in 1950 while attending Southern Oregon College in Ashland. They had four children, Alan Wilcox of White Salmon, Wash., John Wilcox of White Salmon, Wash., Bruce Wilcox of Hermiston, and Leslie Sturm of Spokane, Wash.
After relocating to Hermiston, Joyce and Les purchased the Wilcox Furniture store from Charles and Tressie Wilcox in 1959. Joyce remained as a co-owner of the company for many years, and after her divorce from Les in 1977, she worked in the store alongside her children, who were also involved in the business.
Her many visits to the Oregon Coast with her family were a favorite part of her life. After her retirement, Joyce especially enjoyed the times when all of her children would gather to be with her. Joyce was a dedicated community volunteer, including many years of involvement with the Good Shepherd Medical Center Auxiliary and the First United Methodist Church. She lived the last four years of her life at Sun Terrace Assisted Living Facility in Hermiston, where she made many new friends.
Joyce is survived by sons, Alan, John, and Bruce (Molli); daughter, Leslie (Daryl); daughter-in-law, Kathy Wilcox; and 10 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. Her parents, and her brother, Bruce Ballantyne of Salem, preceded her in death.
For those who wish, memorial gifts may be made to the First United Methodist Church of Hermiston or to the charity of your choice.
A memorial service for Joyce will be held at Sun Terrace Assisted Living Facility in Hermiston, on Friday, December 12, 2014 at 1:30 p.m. Private family burial will be held at the Hermiston Cemetery.
Condolences may be sent to burnsmortuaryhermiston.com.
Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements.
