Joseph was born in Florence, South Carolina, July 29, 1934 to the union of Joseph and Natalie Green, both deceased.  He attended Wilson and Homes Schools of Florence.  He enlisted in the USAF in August 1952 and served four years, achieving the rank of Staff Sergeant.  He re-entered the USAF in October 1961 after being commissioned a 2^nd Lt through the ROTC program at North Carolina A&T State University and served another twenty years retiring in1982 with the rank of Lt Col. After military service he was employed as a Mathematics teacher by the Tacoma Schools District retiring in 1994.

Joseph met Mary Dudley in 1959 and they were married in 1963. Together they have three children, two daughters, one son and two grandchildren. Joseph has one son by a previous marriage.

During his military service, Joseph served at overseas bases in Japan, Pakistan, and Vietnam and at numerous stateside bases. He was awarded several medals including the Bronze Star. 

Brother Green’s Masonic affiliation began in April 1996 as a member of Arthur Ury Lodge #73, Tacoma, Washington where he served as Worshipful Master in 2000. Cascadian Consistory #75 in 1997 initiated him into the Scottish rite. He served as Venerable Junior Warden, Hiram of Tyre, Thrice Potent Master and Second Lieutenant Commander. He is a long time member of the Northwest Chapter of the Phylaxis Society. 

Brother Green’s community activities include being a high school mentor, member of the NAACP, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Tuskegee Airmen, American Legion, and N. C. A&T University Alumni Association and the Military Officer Association.