For nearly five decades, the beverage industry in our region has been shaped, strengthened, and elevated by the steady hand and generous spirit of one remarkable man.
This month, it is both an honor and a privilege to celebrate the career and character of someone who has served our community with distinction and earned the admiration of everyone fortunate enough to work alongside him.
Healy Wholesale’s Joe Thigpen is a name that carries weight in Cumberland County—not because he ever sought recognition, but because he lived his career with humility, loyalty, and an unwavering commitment to doing “the right things, for the right reasons.”
It’s a philosophy that resonates deeply with us here at Up & Coming Weekly. From his early days delivering Pepsi Cola in 1977 to his final chapter with Healy Wholesale, Joe has embodied the values that make Fayetteville’s business community strong: honesty, integrity, hard work, and genuine care for people.
On page 14 of this issue, we share Joe’s extraordinary story—a story of perseverance through change, of friendships forged over decades, and of a man who turned competitors into colleagues and customers into lifelong friends.
It is also a story of grace, reflecting how Joe handled both success and setbacks with the same quiet dignity that has defined his entire professional life.
As Joe steps into retirement after 48 years of service, we invite you to join us in honoring his legacy. His impact reaches far beyond the daily duties of beverage sales. It lives in the relationships he built, the trust he earned, and the countless people he encouraged along the way.
On behalf of the entire Up & Coming Weekly team—and a grateful community—we extend our deepest appreciation to Joe Thigpen. May his next chapter be filled with the same joy, friendship, and purpose he has given to all of us. Our city, state, and nation would be a far better place if we had more people like Joe.
Thank you for reading Up & Coming Weekly.
—Bill Bowman, Publisher

Special Note: On Sunday, February 15, from noon to 6 p.m., Gates Four Country Club will host a retirement celebration in Joe’s honor featuring the band RIVERMIST.
The public, friends, and family are invited to this ticketed event. Proceeds support Kidsville News! and its mission to provide reading and educational resources to Cumberland County elementary schools. For ticket information, visit https://bit.ly/46sPvNF, scan the QR code, or call 910‑391‑3859.

(Photo: Joe Thigpen has been a staple of the Fayetteville community for 48 years in the beverage business. This February, he retires after a 48 year career. Photo courtesy of Bill Bowman)