Joel was born in the Mile Creek Community of Pickens County, a son of the late Irvin Rector and Sybil Roper Dalton. He was a member of The Board of Directors of Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative, a member and deacon of Elljean Baptist Church and was owner of Dalton Flats, a landmark on Gentry Memorial Highway between Pickens and Easley.
Survivors include his wife of 55 years, Doris Looper Dalton of the home, daughters Joyce Dalton Fowler (Randy), Tracy Dalton Grant (Hal), and Caroline Dalton Grant (Blaine) all of Pickens, and son Joel Spencer Dalton, Jr. (Angela Ross) also of Pickens. Also surviving are grandchildren McCay Fowler (Tory Cooke Fowler) of Greenville, Dalton Kelsey (John) of Simpsonville, Brandon Grant, Cora Beth Grant, Storie Dalton, Joey Dalton, Grayson Grant, and Bolt Grant and great grandchildren Liam Fowler and Jonas Kelsey. Also surviving is his brother Jeff Dalton (Shirley Porter Dalton) of Pickens.
Funeral services will be conducted 2 PM Wednesday in the Chapel of Dillard Funeral Home in Pickens with the Reverend Robert Fowler officiating. Entombment will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Park and Gardens Mausoleum.
The family will receive friends from 12:30 to 2 PM Wednesday at Dillard Funeral Home.
The family is at the home.
A memorial message may be expressed to the Dalton family by visiting www.dillardfunerals.com.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Pickens County Meals on Wheels, Post Office Box 1162, Pickens, SC 29671.




