James “Jay” Harry Joyce, III, age 63, of Winston-Salem, NC passed away peacefully surrounded by his children and family members on Tuesday, August 25, 2026 at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist. Jay was born on September 8, 1962 to James “Jim” Joyce, Jr. and Ella Sue Joyce Goard. He grew up in Stuart, VA where he was a 1980 graduate of Patrick County High School. Jay attended Wake Forest University where he received a BS in Biology. He then continued his education at Wake Forest Law School, earning his J.D. (Juris Doctor) degree in 1987. Over his career, Jay worked as both a lawyer and stock broker. Most recently, he had returned to practicing law. During an internship in Connecticut, Jay met Katherine Wilson, and they were married on August 13, 1988. They lived and raised their family in Winston-Salem. Jay was a devoted husband to Katherine, taking care of her during her battle with early-onset Alzheimer's.

He was a proud supporter of Wood Brothers Racing and cherished the family connection with the team. Jay enjoyed attending Wake Forest football and basketball games with friends and family. Some of his most cherished memories as a Wake Forest fan were attending the ACC championship football game in which Wake Forest won their first conference title game, as well as attending the preceding 2007 Orange Bowl with his sons Jimmy and Matt. Jay was also a regular attendee of Carolina Panthers games with his sons. He loved movies (including Blue Streak and Mr. Deeds) and shows (including SNL, Inside the NBA and Curb Your Enthusiasm) that provided timeless laughs and inside jokes with friends and family.

Jay was filled with an impressive catalog of funny stories, from his formative and college years, which he shared with the same enthusiasm as if it was the first time he told you no matter how many times you had heard it. Jay and his wife Katherine created a home that was open to all who needed a safe and loving place to gather. The “Joyce basement” in the family home where he raised his three children was a location known for endless laughs, gatherings among friends, and life long memories. Jay was a proud surrogate father figure of Jimmy and Matt’s friend group known as “The Gurkha Squad” who affectionately gave him the name “Papa Jay.”

In Jay’s lifetime, he was a church member of Sycamore Baptist Church of Stuart, VA and First on Fifth Baptist Church of Winston-Salem, NC. He attended several mission trips to serve in the city of Cielo in the Dominican Republic. Jay was passionate about helping others, and he gave generously to those in need.

Jay was preceded in death by his father, Jim Joyce, and his beloved wife, Katherine Joyce. Jay is survived by his mother, Ella Sue Joyce Goard and husband, Bobby, of Stuart, VA; his three children, James “Jimmy” Joyce, IV and wife, Rachel of Fuquay-Varina, NC, Matthew “Matt” Joyce and wife, Margaux of Asheville, NC, Jennifer Joyce of Winston-Salem, NC; his grandchildren, Avery, Declan, and Rowan Joyce; his brothers, Chuck Joyce and wife, Caroline, Barry Joyce and wife, Cathy, Mike Joyce and wife Brooke; his uncle, Maynard Joyce; his mother-in-law, Phillis Carmichael; and his nieces, nephews, and first cousins and their families.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Alzheimer's Association . A memorial service will be held to celebrate the life of Jay Joyce on Friday, September 4th at 2:00pm at Sycamore Baptist Church in Stuart, VA. Jay’s family will receive visitors one hour before the service. Moody Funeral Home in Stuart, VA is in charge of the arrangements and online condolences may be sent by visiting www.moodyfuneralservices.com.