Joseph Wesley Kiser

Joseph Wesley (J.W.) Kiser, 79, of The Greens at Pinehurst and formerly of Carolina Lake in Carthage, died Monday, Feb. 16, 2026, after a brief illness.

Born on Nov. 10, 1946, in Southern Pines, he was the oldest child of James Irvin Kiser and Annabelle Henning Kiser. He was a fourth-generation Kiser of Moore County; his birth was documented in the Nov. 15, 1946, edition of The Pilot. J.W. was in the first graduating class of Union Pines High School, and he served in the U.S. Air Force. At Ellington Air Force Base, he was part of a team that serviced the mobile quarantine facility for the Apollo mission. After an honorable discharge, he attended UC-Irvine. He worked for KTLA, Pacific Architects and Engineers (PA&E) and later, the Japanese Village Plaza of Los Angeles. It was in Los Angeles that he met his wife, Sue. After starting a family, he returned home to Moore County to live on a lake and raise his two children near Carthage.

J.W. retired after 25 years at Central Carolina Community College in Sanford. He enjoyed his retirement playing Mahjongg and spending time with his family. When his health allowed, he took trips with Sue to the beach or mountains and once visited his grandchildren during their first PCS assignment to South America.

J.W. had a quick wit and was known for his strong character. He championed a frugal but honest lifestyle. J.W. was a good father and a good man to everybody he came across, and he outlived everybody who ever did him wrong.

In addition to his wife of 44 years, he is survived by his son, Joseph D. Kiser (wife, Kelly), of the U.S. Foreign Service, currently serving in Beijing, China; grandchildren Diana Rose, Wesley Earl and Anders Henning Kiser. He also leaves behind many children from his extended family, who affectionately called him “Grandpa Kiser,” and who visited him in his later days. J.W. is also survived by two sisters, Ann Maness and Darlene Kiser, both of Carthage.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Jennifer Diana Kiser; and his younger brother, Barry Nelson Kiser.

Friends and family will hold a private memorial service at a later date.

Online condolences can be made at PinesFunerals.com.

Fry & Prickett Funeral Home is serving the Kiser family.