William Joseph “Joe” McCreary, 86, of St. Louis died Sept. 14, 2022, at his home. Mr. McCreary was at 1954 graduate of Crystal City High School and a veteran of the U.S. Army. He was a professional musician, playing with the Jackie Graham Trio in the St. Louis area. They appeared many times on the Charlotte Peters Show and played at her public appearances around town. He then teamed with Vince Pavia as the founding members of the Chasers Four, a popular band in the 1960s and 1970s that played a wide range of local venues. They were the house band at St. Louis Playboy Club’s Playpen on Lindell Blvd., while also making appearances at the Chase Park Plaza and the Silver Dollar Club. The band later toured the U.S., playing in venues from New York City to Chicago to Las Vegas to Newport Beach, Calif., recording two albums along the way. He ended his musical career playing in St. Louis at the Missouri Athletic Club and other local venues. Born March 8, 1936, in Festus, he was the son of the late Arnold F. and Theresa I. (Wood) McCreary.
He is survived by his wife: Catherine; two sons: Jeff (Dana) McCreary of De Soto and Greg (Debbie) McCreary of Crystal City; a daughter: Joelle (Josh Southworth) McCreary of Bozeman, Mont.; 10 grandchildren: Andrea (Fred) Henry of De Soto, Katie (Aaron) Williams of De Soto, Josh (Ashley Bock) McCreary of De Soto, Chrissy (Josh) Koch of De Soto, Brooke (Josh) Caldwell of Crystal City, Colby (Savannah) McCreary of De Soto, Kyle and Ian McCreary of Crystal City and Noah Corbridge and Ryan McCreary of Bozeman, Mont.
A private celebration of life will take place at a later date.