Joe M. Sides

Joe M. Sides, 94, of Anderson, passed away Friday, December 23, 2016. He was born on February 9, 1922, in Forsyth County, NC, to the late Owen J. and Susie (Miller) Sides. Joe was the first person in the nation to receive a pilot’s license while being blind in one eye. He formed the first scuba diving club in the Anderson area. He enjoyed boating and taught many to water ski. He is survived by Essie (Combs) Sides, his wife of 69 years; daughters, Sharon Nyman and husband George, of The Villages, FL., Kathy Whitehead and husband Joe, of Anderson; his brother, Walter Sides; and sister, Eunice Filbrun. He was preceded in death by brothers; Lester, Oliver, Charley, and Harley; sisters, Ruth Hollinger, Florence Brubaker, Ethel Jammison, Hester Metzger and Phyllis Yoder. Services will be 2 p.m. Thursday, at Brown-Butz-Diedring Funeral Service & Crematory, with Rev. Mike Weber officiating. Burial will follow at Mechanicsburg Cemetery. Visitation will be from 12 to 2 p.m. Post online condolences at brownbutzdiedring.com