Billy Joe Harris

Joe was born on New Year’s Eve in 1938 to Clyde and Hazel Harris near Friendship, OK. He passed away on January 20, 2021 at the age of 82. Joe was the youngest in a crowded house on a tenant farm. He grew up dirt poor and his youth activities included hard work, baseball, too much chicken, and church on Sundays. He drove a school bus at the age of 16 until high school graduation in 1957.

After high school, Joe worked various jobs in trim carpentry and cabinet making. He helped build Air Force Base housing in Altus and Amarillo before enlisting in the Oklahoma National Guard. He was on leave from basic training when he was smitten with the love of his life, Ruth. They married in 1963 and the knot was tied for 57 years.

Joe began a 38-year career in the wallboard (sheetrock) industry in 1963 at Republic Gypsum, Inc. in Duke, OK. He began as a forklift operator and worked his way up to executive management in the area of sales and transportation. He had many dear friendships with co-workers and customers.

Joe and Ruth had 2 sons and 5 grandchildren. He spent many years in the Altus/Navajo community. They moved to Texas for a few years and then back to Altus. After retirement in 2001, they settled in the Bixby/Tulsa area. Regardless of location, he stayed involved in all family activities. His primary job was to drive, know how to get there, and go where Ruth directed. Joe always enjoyed the many extended family gatherings over the years. He was involved in more than a few tall tales, volunteer projects, and disputed domino games.

Joe’s favorite hobby and passion was woodworking. He had a well-equipped shop and was very skilled. He was the “Yoda” on any family woodworking, construction, or remodeling project. He made everything from miniature windmills to wagon wheels to bunk beds. Many of these items adorn several family homes.

An ideal day for Joe began at 5am with a bowl of Post Toasties cereal and a cup of black coffee. It would include some combination of Mexican food, country music, iced tea, a nap, snoring, tinkering in the shop, a Winston cigarette, a back porch, sunshine, and a gentle breeze. It would end at a 9pm prompt bedtime. Joe was never a big talker but spoke volumes through his actions and hard work. He was many things and adored by many. He was stable, solid, dependable, loyal, kind, inventive, dry, and witty. His faith leads him to a new home in heaven. His life well lived inspires us to fill the void until we meet again.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Clyde & Hazel; siblings (Clarence, Miles, Calvin, Delbert, Kenneth, Lavon, Jess Ray, Juanita, Willie); and nephew (Michael). Surviving him is his wife Ruth (Patten) of Bixby; son John and wife Cathlin of Edmond; son Mark and wife Kimmy of Tulsa; grandchildren (Landry, Gracie, Samantha, Kaylee, & Zach); 2 nephews; 6 nieces; and sister-in-law Joyce of Altus. Joe was also very close to his extended family. He was preceded in death by parents-in-law, Millard & Josie Patten; sisters-in-law (Nelda Burch, Carolyn Sanders, Jeri Patten); and niece, Jeri Cocannouer. Survivors include siblings-in-law (Noel Patten, Dwayne & Janita Patten, Jerry Sanders, Jim & Estelline Coffey), 7 nephews, and 6 nieces.

A memorial service will be held on January 30 (10:30 am) at the First United Methodist Church in Sayre, OK.