Joel David Wahlberg

Joel was born to Arthur and Jean Wahlberg in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The family later relocated to Corpus Christi, Texas, where Joel grew up and called home.

Joel loved football throughout his life as a player, coach, official, and sports manager for professional athletes. He attended Ray High School during the tenure of football Coach Bill Stages, where he played both offensive guard and defensive linebacker, was the placekicker for kickoffs and long field goals. He was proud to be on this Texan team as Ray High became Quarter Finalist in 1953 and District Champions in 1954. Joel received two letters for All District Offense in 1954 and is a member of the Ray High School Hall of Fame. True to the sportsmanship of the era, Joel was also a very successful Golden Gloves boxer, where his height and reach allowed him to succeed against much heavier boxers.

Joel was recruited by the University of Florida, and after his graduation, he continued his playing career on athletic scholarship. At that time, the NCAA rules limited player substitutions and players had to play both offense and defense; Joel played center on offense and linebacker on defense. During Joel’s college career, he received three letters and served as Alternate Captain as his team ranked 13th nationally in 1957. Joel was President of the Letterman’s Club for 1957-1958, and he was inducted into the 1958 Hall of Fame. Joel absolutely loved college life, and he became active as a student and member of the Florida Blue Key National Honor Society, where he travelled the State as a Blue Key Speaker and became recognized for his leadership, ability, and service in 1958. He was on the Honor Court and a member of the TEP fraternity and graduated from UF with a BS degree in Physical Education from the College of Health & Human Performance.

As an ROTC Commissioned Officer, Joel spent 7-½ years in the Reserves and was discharged from the US Army as Captain Infantry in February 1969.

After a short career playing professional football, Joel returned to the University of Florida as a Graduate Assistant for the 1958-1959 seasons. His freshman team went undefeated. After receiving his Master’s Degree in Business in 1960, he was recruited by Hank Foldberg to become University of Wichita’s Defensive Coordinator. Wichita won the 1960-1961 Missouri Valley Conference Championship, and the team went on to the Sun Bowl in 1961.

When Texas A&M recruited Head Coach Foldberg, Joel joined the A&M staff as the Defensive Coordinator from 1962-1964. During his time in College Station, Joel recruited A&M Hall of Famers Johnny Williams, Mike Devine, Jackie Benish, and Don West.

In 1965, Joel’s entrepreneurial spirit and leadership skills led him into business. He established Allstates Chemical, Inc., a manufacturing company specializing in the sales of private-label industrial and institutional chemicals serving business and industry. Joel served as President and CEO building a multimillion-dollar corporation with a corporate office and manufacturing plant in Katy, Texas and warehouse and distribution facilities in Jacksonville, Memphis, Oklahoma City and Birmingham. After operating successfully for 23 years, Allstates was sold.

In 1975, with his lifetime friends James Ward and Joe Mike Kohlman, Joel’s dream of owning land and cattle was born. Triple J Ranch Beefmasters slowly grew over the years to be one of the largest Registered Beefmaster cattle operation spanning 8,500 acres in South Texas with a herd of 2,500 mother cows.

In 1994, with an idea to do it all again, Beta Technology, Inc. was established in Houston, Texas. Joel served as CEO of Beta, another company specializing in the sales of private label industrial and institutional chemicals covering the states of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and country of Mexico. After 25 years of working with Shirley to develop a highly successful operation with many long-term employees, they decided to share their success with their employees, and Beta Technology became an Employee-Owned Corporation. In 2019, the Wahlbergs sold their final stock shares, and Joel and Shirley retired to Lafayette, Louisiana, Shirley’s hometown.

In 1981, Joel, Joey Allen, and Sonny Davis, organized the Bill Stages Reunion to honor their beloved Coach who had been a mentor for many young men over the years. The Bill Stages Annual Memorial Golf Tournament continues today to help student athletes continue their education. Joel was always a dedicated supporter of education and had an unwavering commitment to empowering the next generation. Joel was inducted into the W.B. Ray Texans Hall of Fame in 1998.

In 1982, driven by gratitude for the way education propelled his career and with the belief that education should continue to change lives, Joel established the Grebe-Wahlberg Memorial Scholarship for students in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences and in the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Florida. This endowment has created opportunities for countless young people to pursue their dreams. Joel’s philanthropy went beyond financial support. He was a mentor to many of his scholarship recipients, offering guidance, encouragement, and developing close relationships. His interest in each student made a significant impact, and his legacy is reflected in the success stories of those he helped along the way.

Joel’s love of the Gators inspired the organization of the Houston Gator Alumni Association in Houston in 1972. He served as President for 5 years, passed the baton, and later received the Alfred Warrington Service Award in 2010.

In recognition of Joel’s commitment to UF, he was awarded the Distinguished Alumni Award in 1983 and the University of Florida Outstanding Volunteer of the Year 2009/2010. Joel and Shirley were awarded the B.K. Stephens Service Recognition Award in 2010 from the College of Health and Human Performance. Joel was an active member on the Board of Directors of the University of Florida Foundation receiving the Foundation’s Distinguished Service Award from 2005 to 2013, becoming a Lifetime Member.

In 2010, Joel and Shirley were key in the formation of the UF Faculty Now Program in which Dr. David Vaillancourt was selected for the new faculty position as Chair and Professor in the Department of Applied Physiology and Kinesiology. Dr. Vaillancourt, an elite in his field, opened doors for finding new ways to measure the progression of Parkinson’s disease using advanced brain mapping technologies. The UF Faculty Now Program continues to promote the next generation of scientists at UF.

Joel leaves behind a loving and well-loved family and many friends: Wife Shirley Venable Wahlberg, two daughters, cousins, and Shirley’s family who not only loved Joel but provided unending family support. He is predeceased by his parents Art and Jean Wahlberg and brother Lt. Col. Arlen Wahlberg (Jean). He will be greatly missed but never forgotten.

Joel’s legacy is one of generosity, vision, and unwavering commitment. His family and friends will remember him not only for these qualities but for his kindness, humility and belief in others.