Joe Smith, 79, of Brownwood passed away on Tuesday, December 1, 2015, after a courageously fought battle with cancer. Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday and funeral services at 11 a.m. on Saturday, December 5, 2015 at Heartland Funeral Home with Billy Slaymaker officiating.  Interment will follow at Greenleaf Cemetery.

Joe Franklin Smith was born in Brownwood on June 25, 1936 to Floyd Smith and Virgie Hammond.  He went to school and lived most of his life in Brownwood, raised by his mother and stepfather Barney “Digger” Westerman.  Joe worked as a mechanic off and on his entire life.  He was well known for being able to fix anything.  He was always fascinated with how everything worked, not to mention exactly what it would take to make it run better or faster – including building and attaching a motor to his bicycle as a young boy to help deliver his paper route.  He also worked for the Parks and Recreation Department for several years, living in Coggin Park.  He spent many years driving trucks, hauling everything from cars to flowers.  He loved animals – especially his beloved dogs throughout his life, hunting, fishing, watching the Cowboys and baseball while his sons were playing – and more recently if and when Shelby Miller was pitching.  He loved to tell stories and make people laugh.

Of note, he was very proud of the fact that he had recently asked Jesus Christ into his life and had been baptized.  He was excited about the fact that he had been forgiven and was a new man in Christ.

Joe was preceded in death by sons, Stewart and Troy; mother of his children, Brenda Lawton; his parents; one brother; two nephews; and four brothers-in-law.

Joe is survived by his children, Glenn “Digger” and wife Leslie of Brownwood; Marcia Wiesepape and husband Ronald of Priddy; Lisa Cantrell and husband Steve of Brownwood; Steve Smith of Georgia; sisters Pat Cox and husband Glen of Brownwood; Linda Cagle and husband Terrell Smith of Colorado; Mickie Warnell and husband Pete of Waco; Vira Hopkins of Azle; brothers, Barney Westerman of Brownwood and Mike Westerman of Granbury; grandchildren, Zane Smith; Danielle Stone; Stephanie, Alyson, Damon, Rita and Hollye Chaumont; Jenna Bauchman; Landon Cantrell; Heather Norway; Aaron, Ryan and Remi Smith, 18 great-grandchildren as well as numerous nieces, nephews, extended family members and friends.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.heartlandfuneralhome.net.