Joel Wayne Stanford, 80, of Rocky Point and formerly of Eatonton, Georgia passed peacefully from his earthly life Sunday, December 21, 2025 at Lower Cape Fear LifeCare in Wilmington.

He was born June 17, 1945 in Wilmington, the son of Jonathan David Stanford and Thelma Columbus Clardy Stanford. In addition to his parents, Joel was preceded in death by his wife, Rhoda Dawson Stanford; brother, David Jonathan Stanford; sister, Willie Leiner; and great grandson, Joel Grayson Stanford.

Joel is survived by his daughter, Melissa Diane Wade (Mike); son, Joel Garrett Stanford (Kelly); stepson, Robert Dawson; stepdaughter, Kimberly Shreve (Matthew); sister, Donna Kay Zoglman (Floyd); grandchildren, Sandra Michelle Raynor (Nick), Andrew Garrett Stanford (Courtney), and Victoria Ashley Pacheco (Ricardo); great grandchildren; Garrett Wayne Stanford Raynor, Presley Grayce Raynor, and Jason Emmanuel Wells Pacheco; and many extended family and friends.

Joel served his country honorably in the US Coast Guard and was a life member of DAV Chapter 11.

A full obituary will be forthcoming.

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A service of Quinn-McGowen Funeral Home Burgaw Chapel.