Joseph Parish was born in Hundred, West Virginia on June 28, 1925 to William and Elizabeth Parish. He now resides in New Martinsville, West Virginia with his wife Helen Cain Parish. They have two sons (Doug and Brian Parish) and one daughter (Linda Parish Hill),five grandchildren (Matt Parish, Ashley Parish Heilers, Patrick Hill, Allison and Meredith Parish) and three great-grandchildren (Sam, Lydia and Isaac Heilers). .