Born and raised in Kinnekulle. He built his first loom in 1957 in the garage at home in Götene and learned from his wife Ann-Britta how to assemble the jacquard.
In 1960, the two moved the business to Österplana on Kinnekulle. Spouses Anna-Britta and Josef handed over the disposal rights of nine Widlund looms to Klässbol's linen weaving company in the 80s.