Joanie Dee (Willett) Hilty

Joanie Dee (Willett) Hilty, 44, of Whitney passed away Friday, March 31, 2023, in West, Texas.  Funeral Services will be held Thursday, April 6, 2023, at Marshall and Marshall Funeral Directors Chapel in Hillsboro with Brother Russell Penney officiating.  Burial will follow at Ridge Park Cemetery in Hillsboro. Visitation will be from 6:00-8:00 pm Wednesday, April 5, 2023, at the funeral home.

Joanie was born January 12, 1979, in Cleburne, Texas to James L. and Darlene Willett (Faulknor). A 1997 graduate of Hillsboro High School, Joanie was an avid animal lover, caring for not only her family but her many chickens, goats and dogs.  She loved sewing and listening to music, especially Elvis.  Joanie resonated with a natural beauty that she expressed both externally and internally.  She always wore a smile and relished her time with anyone that crossed her path.

Joanie met the love of her life, Brian Hilty, at Hillsboro Jr. High School at the age of 14. On May 31, 1997, She and Brian were united in marriage at her family home.  She was a devoted wife, mother and memaw, making them her life’s work.  She was a member of Prairie Valley Baptist Church in Whitney, Texas.

Preceding her in death were her mother; grandparents; Beatrice (Taylor) Faulknor; Homer Faulknor; Lula (Sheffield) Willett; James O. Willett and niece, Angel Willett.

Survivors include her husband, Brian Hilty; her father and wife, Rose; two children, Samantha Lesly and husband, Michael; Ryan Hilty and Rose, all of Whitney; one sister, Ronda Bailey and husband, Craig, of Hillsboro; one brother, Tony Willett and wife Donna, of Blum;  three grandchildren, Dixie Darlene Lesly, Liam Fouse, and Sawyer Delton Hilty, bonus sister, Catana Villareal and husband, Fred;  Sister-in-law Tina Villareal and husband Leon, all of Whitney;  six nieces, Scarlet Hennig and husband Scott, of Whitney; Chyanne Sharp and husband Garret, of Hillsboro; Gabrielle Willett; Danielle Willett; Amber Kickland and husband, Orry; Savannah Cooper and husband, Kenny; all of Whitney; along with numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and other family members and friends.