JOSEPH VELLA
1914-2000
PHILIPPINES
Approved 1951

Joe Vella was born November 14, 1914, in Warren, Pennsylvania. He married Marguerite Sanders, May 19, 1943. They attended Baptist Bible College, Springfield, Missouri, and were approved as Baptist Bible Fellowship missionaries in 1951. They were approved at the Thanksgiving meeting, 1951, in Denton, Texas and sailed for the Philippines on December 7, 1951. He was a World War II veteran who served in the United States Army as a Second Lieutenant assigned as an instructor for tank destroyers. 

Joe was saved during his time in service. At the time, he was stationed in Stark, Florida and was led to the Lord in a grocery store by the store owner. He helped start nine churches and a Bible College during his 40 faithful years in the Philippines. Bethany Baptist Church, Makati (Manila) was started in their carport in 1953. Bro. L. D. Woosley was called as the pastor of that church when the Vellas left on furlough in 1955. 

During the last years of his life, he suffered from heart problems so he and Marguerite retired in Pasadena, Texas where they were faithful members of the Central Baptist Church. Joe Vella passed away April 1, 2000. He was survived by his wife, Marguerite; sons, Doug and Gordon; and daughter, Diana; ten grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.