Joe Duer

Joe Anderson Duer III, 54, of Ft. Myers, FL, passed away on Thursday, May 22, 2025. Born January 13, 1971, he was the son of J. Anderson “Andy” Duer, Jr. and Susan Copes Duer of Davis Wharf, VA.

Joe was raised on Virginia’s Eastern Shore on Occohannock Creek, where his lifelong passion for the water and fishing first began. He graduated from Broadwater Academy, class of 1989, in Exmore, VA, and then Saint Andrews Presbyterian College in Laurinburg, North Carolina, in 1993. Joe had a few careers beginning as a physical therapy assistant, frequently making friends with patients and keeping in touch with them after they completed treatments. Next, he was a counselor with Big Brothers Big Sisters, matching youth with mentors and running events for the organization. Joe’s unconditional love for others played a key role in not only providing lasting, treasured memories for him but also for all those he helped in their time of need. He later found his niche with the company Truly Nolen, where he worked for the last 10 years as an expert dealing with termites and pest control. Joe’s traits of kindness, ease of communication with anyone he met, strong work ethic, and willingness to step up whenever needed served him well in his careers and throughout his life. He was always ready to lend a hand to anyone, which included assisting with cleanup after a hurricane.

Joe loved his truck, which was notably adorned with fish decals, and was never without a cooler full of Diet Pepsi. He enjoyed candy as much as a kid, particularly any and all varieties of Sour Patch Kids. Perhaps the most treasured memories of Joe will be his smile, gentle kindness, and genuine concern for anyone with whom he crossed paths in life.

In addition to his parents, he is survived by a brother, Peter Copes Duer and his wife Brook Bundick Duer, of Quinby, VA, and their sons Lucas Copes Duer and Logan James Duer; his aunt, Mary Will Copes Browning, and uncle, Ted Dunton Duer (Jane); cousins, Mary Margaret Browning (John Haywood), Brook Lusby (husband Mark and children Will and Anna Sexauer), Wayne Browning, Jr., Elizabeth Teasley (husband Allen and children Matt and Joe Teasley), Allison Little (Chip), Cindy Case (husband Chris and children Reese and Caroline Case), and Lee Duer (wife Kelly and children Ben and Annie Duer); his ‘Florida Mom,’ Helen Crane; and longtime friend, Jenny Bayne. He was predeceased by maternal grandparents, Peter Davis Copes and Margaret Lodge Copes, paternal grandparents, Joe Anderson Duer and Virginia Dunton Duer, and uncle, R. Wayne Browning.

A time to celebrate Joe’s life will be held on Thursday, June 5, 2025, 2:00 p.m., at the home of his parents, 35354 Copes Drive, Belle Haven, VA 23306. Casual attire is suggested.

Memorial donations in Joe’s name may be made to Broadwater Academy, P.O. Box 546, Exmore, VA 23350 (https://broadwateracademy-bloom.kindful.com/).

Memory tributes may be shared with the family at www.williamsfuneralhomes.com.

Arrangements by the Williams-Onancock Funeral Home.