Francis "Joel" Hanks of Simpsonville, SC, went to his eternal home on Tuesday, November 1, 2022.Joel was born in 1941, the son of Cowan and Letha Hanks of Honea Path. In 1959, he graduated from Honea Path High School with academic honors. He graduated from Clemson College with a Bachelor's degree in 1964 and a Master's degree in 1966 in Agricultural Engineering. During an internship in Florence, SC he met Anne Coleman Baird, whom he married after graduating. Joel was employed by the USDA Agriculture Soil Conservation Service, DuPont, JE Sirrine, and Philip Morris International. He served as an aircraft maintainer in the SC Air National Guard, rising to the rank of Staff Sergeant. He was a registered Professional Engineer and member of the National Society of Professional Engineers, serving as president of the SC chapter for many years. He started Technical South, Inc., a contract service firm staffing engineers and architects. Joel and Anne ran the business together until their retirement. He often shared fond memories of growing up on the family farm. For many years he upheld the tradition of farming by managing planting and raising beef cattle. There was always a well-stocked garden to bolster gatherings at the family homeplace. Joel and Anne were longtime faithful members of Simpsonville First Baptist Church. They enjoyed sharing roses and vegetables from their garden, attending Clemson games, and volunteering for multiple community and school programs.Joel loved spending time with friends and family. He was happiest making cornbread and sweet potatoes for a gathering at "the farm," hunting, fishing, playing a game with granddaughter Ella, or watching grandson Michael play football for Liberty University. He actively participated in school reunions and maintained connections with close friends acquired over a lifetime.He is survived by his brother, Dwight Hanks (JoAnn) of Camden; cousin, Pat Griffin of Honea Path; two daughters, Lisa Hanks Bollinger (David) of Green Creek, NC and Angela Hanks Heggie (Chris) of Hickory Tavern; two grandchildren, Michael Cowan Bollinger and Ella Grace Heggie; nephew Marty Hanks of Lugoff; niece Nicole Hanks Brown (Brandon) of Mooresville, NC; niece Missy Baird Ferrigno (Mike) of Florence; and many other relatives and friends.A Celebration of Life service will be held on Sunday, November 13, 2022 at 2 pm in the Simpsonville First Baptist downtown sanctuary with a time of receiving friends to follow. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, Parkinson's Foundation, or charity of your choice."…Fix your thoughts on what is true and good and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely, and dwell in the fine, good things in others. Think about all you can praise God for and be glad about. Keep putting into practice all you learned from Me and saw Me doing, and the God of Peace will be with you."-Philippians 4:8-9 (Living Bible)
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