Joseph Haslett Collie

Joseph “Joe” Haslett Collie passed away peacefully on May 27, 2025, with family by his side. He was born June 27, 1925, in Concord, NC., yet considered Danville, VA his home. He is the son of the late Howard Luther Collie and Anna Eugenia Haslett Collie.

Joe graduated from George Washington High School (’43) in Danville, while being active in the Boy Scouts, proudly earning his Eagle Scout badge. He enlisted in the US Army in September 1943 and thankfully qualified for the Army Specialized Training Program (ASTP). After a quick, 13-week basic training program, he was sent to Virginia Polytechnic Institute (Va Tech) in January 1944.

Joe earned a first-alternate appointment to the US Military Academy at West Point, then transferred to Cornell University in March 1944. He always held a special love for Cornell. When the principal appointee was accepted, Joe was then transferred to the 100th Infantry Army Division at Ft. Bragg, NC in July 1944. In October 1944, the 100th Infantry was “called to action” and shipped to Marseille, France, where their group joined the 7th Army Division to combat the German forces near Baccarat, France. Over the next 8 months of active combat, while battling frigid temperatures in NE France, his 100Th Inf Div. successfully liberated the towns of Lemburg, Rimling, and Bitche, France. The local French people have since referred to these gritty soldiers as “The Sons of Bitche”.

Upon completion of the WWII, yet still in Germany, his father died suddenly at the young age of 53. The Army discharged him and sent Joe back home, where he was reunited with his mother and 4-year-old sister, Jane. Joe took full advantage of the “GI” Bill by attending Virginia Polytechnic Institute (Va Tech) and graduated with a Chemical Engineering degree in 1950. Upon graduation, he worked at Dan River Mills. He also spent some hot summers in Mississippi, selling Bibles for the Southwestern Company. Thus, a Salesman was born!

Wanting a steadier career, he eventually landed at DuPont. For the next 8 years, his sales career flourished in the Charlotte, NC and Philadelphia, PA markets. He decided to leave DuPont in 1958 to form Cardinal Chemicals. This was the beginning of his chemical distribution career.

His smartest decision was to marry the young and beautiful Barbara Green from Waverly, NY on August 1, 1959, in Duke Chapel and settling in Durham, NC. With the support of his wife and the “cooperation” of his 3 sons, Joe formed Southchem Inc., a regional chemical distribution company. Over the next 24 years, and with the help of many incredible employees, Southchem grew to 150 employees, eventully being aquired in 1993. After an incredibly successful 45-year career, Joe retired in 1995.

During retirement, he loved tutoring elementary students, oil painting, golfing, fishing, exercising and travelling with his many friends. He truly loved all his grandchildren, while speaking at their schools about his heroic WWII experiences. Active in the Veteran Senior Olympics, he won many gold medals in swimming, running, and target shooting. Being a faithful Iron Duke member since the 1950’s, Joe was fortunate to attend many Duke football and basketball games over the many years. He even attended the 1942 Rose Bowl played in Wallace Wade Stadium.

He was a founder and President of the National Association of Chemical Distribution (NACD); President of the local Sales and Marketing Executives; President of the 100th Infantry Division Associations, Board Member of Epworth Church, CCB, Durham YMCA, and Hope Valley Country Club. Joe received the Academy of Engineering Excellence Award and Distinguished Service Award from Virginia Tech.

Joe’s death is preceded by his father, Howard Collie; mother Anna Haslett Collie; mother-in-law Eleanor Yale, and brother-in-law, Benjamin Green.

Joe is survived by his loving wife, Barbara, of almost 66 years; 3 proud sons: Charles Collie (Betsy), Paul Collie (Julie) and Scott Collie (Amy); 6 grandchildren: Claire Collie, Lucas Collie, Alex Collie, Sam Collie, Jackson Collie and Anda Saitep; sister Jane Heitzler (Mike); sister-in-law Rosemary Green; and nephews Benjamin Green Jr. (Kathy), and Andrew Wineapple.

The Collie family owes our deep gratitude to Joe’s faithful and dedicated caregiver, Tania Keeys and to his wonderful Duke Hospice nurse, Lauren Wilkins.

A visitation will be held on Monday, June 2, 2025, from 6 - 8 pm at Hall-Wynne Funeral Home, 1113 W. Main Street; Durham, NC 27701. A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, at 2:00 pm at Epworth United Methodist Church, 3002 Hope Valley Road; Durham, NC 27707; with burial immediately following at Maplewood Cemetery, 1621 Duke University Drive; Durham, NC 27701.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to these Durham, NC organizations: The Emily K Center and Epworth United Methodist Church.