Staff members of City of Colonial Heights, Virginia Government, CHPS and its School Board, and Colonial Heights Police Department joined together with the Green family and community members today for its 18th Annual Arbor Day Celebration. The Tussing Elementary School choir sang a beautiful song led by Mr. Souders.
This year, a tree was planted in memory of Joe Green who dedicated his life to serving his loved ones and the community of Colonial Heights. His family, including his wife Clestelle Green, current CHHS main office secretary, joined the event to help plant the tree. This tree can be seen on the front lawn of the CHHS Tech Center.
The below House Resolution 377 from February 2023 details the dedication of Joe Green to his community.
WHEREAS, Wilford Joseph Green, Jr., a highly admired public servant and community leader in Colonial Heights and a beloved husband, father, and grandfather, died on September 18, 2022; and
WHEREAS, a native of Petersburg, Wilford “Joe” Green was a member of the Colonial Heights High School Class of 1975, then joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints as a teenager and served the California Fresno Mission for two years; and
WHEREAS, Joe Green returned to the Commonwealth in 1980 and subsequently graduated from Virginia State University; and
WHEREAS, Joe Green spent most of his professional career as a contractor at Fort Lee; he further served the community as a longtime member of the Colonial Heights School Board from 1996 to 2009 and a member of the Colonial Heights City Council from 2009 to 2020; and
WHEREAS, during his tenure on the Colonial Heights City Council, Joe Green participated in the hiring of two city managers and oversaw many enhancements to make Colonial Heights an even better place to live, work, and raise a family; and
WHEREAS, Joe Green guided roadway improvements and beautification projects, helped obtain several historic designations in the city, supported the construction of a new courthouse and enhancements to local schools, and ensured that public safety officers in the city had competitive pay and access to the finest training and equipment; and
WHEREAS, in addition, Joe Green offered his leadership and expertise to many other local boards and organizations, including the District 19 Community Services Board, Colonial Heights Historical Commission, Colonial Heights Youth Advisory Council, and the Virginia High School League; he served as a board member and membership director of the Colonial Heights Swim and Yacht Club, and he mentored and inspired young people as a leader in the Boy Scouts of America and the Girl Scouts of the USA; and
WHEREAS, Joe Green loved the freedom of the open road and never missed an opportunity to travel, from cross-country trips to helping friends and neighbors with local transportation; and
WHEREAS, Joe Green brought joy to others through his wit and wisdom and touched countless lives through his generosity; and
WHEREAS, Joe Green will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his wife of 40 years, Clestelle; his daughters, Mary, Emily, and Mollie, and their families; and numerous other family members and friends; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Delegates hereby note with great sadness the loss of Wilford Joseph Green, Jr.; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Wilford Joseph Green, Jr., as an expression of the House of Delegates’ respect for his memory.