Joe Lawrence Spivey

Joe Lawrence Spivey passed away peacefully on Thursday, April 16, 2026, at the age of 100 surrounded by his loving family. Joe was born on October 3, 1925, in Waco, Texas, the oldest child of Rose Ella Norris Spivey and Ivers Patterson Spivey.

A visitation will be held on Friday, April 24, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Funeral Home, 6101 Bosque Blvd., Waco, Texas, 76710. The funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, April 25, in the Chapel of First Methodist Church of Waco, 4901 Cobbs Dr., Waco, Texas, 76710 with Pastor Steve Ramsdell officiating. Burial with family only will follow at Oakwood Cemetery, 2124 S. 5th St., Waco, Texas, 76706.

After graduating from Waco High School, Joe joined the Navy in 1943 and served in Pearl Harbor and in the South Pacific as a radarman on Johnston Island during World War II. In 1944, he was selected and returned to the United States for officer training at Princeton, Texas Christian University, and Tulane. After completing his service in 1945, Joe married his sweetheart, Joan DeArman (Waco High School class of 1945), on October 27th and entered Baylor University to study accounting. He graduated in 1948 with a Bachelor of Business degree from the Baylor University School of Business while working half days with a local accounting firm.

Joe was recruited in 1948 by Humble Oil Company (EXXON) for their Marketing Research Division in Houston, Texas. He passed the CPA exam in 1950 and became certified to practice public accounting but chose to remain with Exxon for a marketing career. That decision was rewarded by a life-long succession of career advancements in domestic and international marketing management positions in Houston, Baytown, Los Angeles, Midland, Chicago, New York City, Coral Gables, and Rio de Janeiro. In 1985, Joe retired as President and Chairman of the Board of Esso Brasileiro de Petroleo, the Exxon affiliate for Brazil. While working in Rio de Janeiro, he served in various civic positions as President of the Brazilian-American Chambers of Commerce, Chairman of the Board of the American School, Director of the United Fund, and Director of the Union Church.

After retirement, Joe and Joan returned to Waco, Texas and enjoyed a life with friends, family and activities involving Baylor University, First Methodist Church of Waco, traveling, and playing golf at Ridgewood Country Club. Joe and Joan established an endowed scholarship fund at Baylor University. Joe was an avid Baylor Bear athletics fan, a charter member of the Endowed Scholarship Society and the Old Main Society, a member of the Baylor Heritage Club and the Baylor Bear Foundation, and a director of the Strecker Museum. Joe loved to sing and participated for several years in the choir at church. He was also known for his prayers that he recited in the Wesleyan Workers Sunday School Class. He loved dancing at the Big Band Dance Club monthly events and served for a time as the Club’s President. Joe was also a member of the Heart of Texas ExxonMobil Annuitants group and served as President of the organization for several years.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers - Robert Lee, Lonnie Raymond, David Curtis (Marilyn), and Leonard Eugene (Latrelle), one sister - Frances Geraldine Lewis (J.D.), 3 half-brothers - Lindsey Garland (Iris), Ivers Patterson, Jr. (Ethel), and Virgil Coquitt (Juanita), 3 half-sisters Ethel Jewel Edwards (Lloyd), Mary Lou Etta Coates (Staton), and Ruby Pearl Wheeler (Arley); and brother-in-law Jesse DeArman, Jr. (Jodie).

His survivors include his beloved wife of 80 years, daughters Janet Bennett (Michael) and Jill Janicki (Peter); four grandchildren, Christina Bennett, Elizabeth Shetty (Vittal), Ryan Bennett (Katie), and Jennifer Latinkic (Mitch); step-granddaughter Stephanie Holder (William); two great grandchildren, Lewis Shetty and Charles Bennett; and two great step-grandchildren, Reid Holder and Brynn Holder; sister-in-law Margaret Spivey, and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family wishes to extend their gratitude to the staff at Ridgecrest Retirement and Healthcare Community ALF, the caregivers at Halcyon Home, LLC, and the care team at Community Healthcare of Texas.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Joe’s memory to First Methodist Church of Waco at https://firstwaco.com/give, or to Joe and Joan Spivey Endowed Scholarship Fund of Baylor University at https://bbis.baylor.edu/give, or to the charity of your choice.

The Family invites you to leave a message or memory of Joe in his "Memorial Guestbook" at www.WHBfamily.com