Joe was born on March 11, 1941, in Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania. He attended school in Turtle Creek, Pennsylvania and graduated high school in 1960. He then attended Bob Jones University from 1961-1964, where he earned a Certificate from the Institute of Christian Service and met his future wife, Toni Day.

On August 17, 1963, Joe married Toni Day, and to this union four children were born: David, Mark, Daniel and Beth.

Joe spent 16 years serving with Rural Home Missionary Association as a pastor of rural churches. This occupation brought him back to Bayard, where he made his home for over 45 years. In 1980, Joe started working for KK Appliance Store as a propane delivery driver.

Joe loved this job because it gave him a way to share the Gospel with families he met while delivering propane to them. He retired from KK Appliance Store after 20 years of service. In 2000, Joe started working for Regional West Medical Center, where he worked in the housekeeping department. This proved to be another way for Joe to share the Gospel and his faith with numerous co-workers and families that he encountered each day.

After 10 years of service, he retired from Regional West Medical Center. In 2010, Joe, once again, started a job where he could serve and share his faith, by being the Bayard Schools crossing guard. He took this job very seriously, working to protect the children he encountered every day. In 2020, he began working with his wife to help clean Community Bible Church where he had been a member for over 40 years.

Joe developed a passion for riding his bike at the age of 55. He would do various rides which included the Scottsbluff National Monument Hill Climb and Pioneer Days where he raised funds to help St. Judes Hospital.

He was an avid participant in the Morrill County Fair where he won many awards for the jelly and coffee cake that he made.

Over the years, at Community Bible Church, Joe taught Sunday School, was an AWANA leader, served on the Elder Board and was a member of the Men’s Fellowship.

Nobody who ever met Joe was a stranger to him. He would often ask “Wanna do me a favor?” Or “What are you doing right now? Wanna give me a ride?” as a way to break the ice.

Joe is survived by his children and their families: Dave/Kaylene Lichius, Sara/ Jesse Fuller, Steven Lichius, Kristin/Shawn Anderson; Mark/Lorraine Lichius, Darrell Lichius, Chris Lichius, Brandon/Holly Lichius; Dan/Sylvia Lichius, Erica/ Anton Ramirez, Angela Gonzalez, Hope/Jason Fritzler and Juana /Terry Vanhoosear ; Beth/Aaron Kehn, Brynn Kehn, Dylan Kehn and Caedyn Kehn; 15 great-grandchildren; and nephews Albert and Jimmy Dawson.

He was preceded in death by his wife Toni Lichius, parents Joseph and Ethel Lichius, brother- and sister- in-law Albert and Theresa Dawson, and niece