Joe Farmer

Joe Farmer, 81, of Hillsboro passed away Tuesday night, December 5, 2017, at Town Hall Estates Nursing Home in Hillsboro. Memorial services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, December 9, 2017, at Marshall & Marshall Funeral Directors Chapel in Hillsboro with Rev. Maurine “Mo” Lewis officiating.

Born November 14, 1936 in Corsicana, he was the son of Joe Holloway and Jewell Jane (Spruill) Farmer. He grew up in Corsicana, graduated from Corsicana High School in 1955, and went on to graduate from Navarro Junior College in 1957, majoring in music. He later attended Stephen F. Austin State College where he received his Bachelors of Music degree and Masters of Arts in Education degree in 1964. In 1977 he completed his studies at the University of North Texas, receiving his Masters in Education Administration degree. A very patriotic person, he proudly served the country he loved in the United States Army Reserves as a Sergeant. On April 11, 1982, Joe was united in marriage to Sandra Phillips in Hillsboro.

Joe began his life long career as a band director at Newton ISD. He would go on to proudly direct his many band students at Livingston ISD, Decatur ISD, Robinson ISD, Hillsboro ISD, Corsicana ISD, and finally at West ISD, retiring in 1994. After his retirement, he went back to work as band director at Covington ISD, worked in the transportation department at Hill College, and drove charter buses out of Waco.

He was a member of St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Hillsboro. In his spare time, Joe enjoyed traveling, listening to music, playing with the Hill College Band, and he especially loved playing his trombone. Family was everything to him. His greatest joy was cheering on his grandchildren at their many sporting events.

Preceding him in death were his parents and son, Jeffrey Allen Farmer.

Joe is survived by his loving wife of 35 years, Sandra Farmer; loving children, Joe H. Farmer, III and wife, Cheryl, of Hillsboro, Jenni Bailey and husband, Jeff, of Abbott, and Toby Walker of Hillsboro; and seven grandchildren whom he adored, Lyndsey Woody, Will Woody, Todd Kimbrell, Jr. and wife, Lindsay, and Katy Kimbrell, all of Hillsboro, Reece and Ryan Bailey of Abbott, and Luke Walker of Wayland, MI.

Memorials may be made to St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, 109 Corsicana Street, Hillsboro, TX 76645 or Kindred Hospice, 510 North Valley Mills Drive, Suite 402, Waco, TX 76710.

Memorial Service

2:00 PM ,Saturday, December 9, 2017
Marshall & Marshall Funeral Directors in Hillsboro
2495 Corsicana Highway Hillsboro, TX 76645