Billy Joe McDaniel, "Joe" was born April 9, 1935 in Bokoshe, Oklahoma to Barney G.W. McDaniel and Anna Bailey. He went peacefully to be with his Lord on the morning of August 25, 2020. Joe had a brother Clarence E. McDaniel of Tishomingo, Oklahoma who proceeded him in death, a sister Nancy Barnett of Tulsa Oklahoma, and brother Danny Baldwin of McAlester, Oklahoma. Joe graduated from Pittsburg High School in Pittsburg, Oklahoma. Joe received Christ in his life as a teenager at the Baptist Church in Savanna, Oklahoma and was a member of the Bullard Chapel Church in Tishomingo, Oklahoma. Family and friends stated that he displayed his faith by how he treated everyone he met. Truth, honesty, and love were his guidelines. "He is the finest person I've ever met" is often said about Joe. Joe served in the Army in Colorado and El Paso, Texas in 1957 – 1959. He attended Texas Western College in El Paso, Texas from 1959 – 1967 for undergraduate and graduate degrees. He later completed his administration certifications at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Joe then taught school in Texas, Colorado, and Oklahoma for over 40 years. He also served youth and families as Principal and Superintendent and was well loved by his students.

Joe met Judy Kiser as a teenager in church at Savanna, Oklahoma and they were married for over 65 years. He always told people he had been married "all of his life." To this family they had one daughter, Dana, her husband Marc and a very special grandson, Rio Bonham. Joe's life took on more meaning as he guided Dana and uplifted her in life. He was "her" Daddy. Grandson Rio completed his picture in 2001. Joe did not miss an occasion to attend and support Rio's activities. He was "Rio's Papa" and proud to be so. Being near Marc, Dana, and Rio on the farm and traveling with the family to Cottonwood Canyon, Yellowstone, and Alaska was the joy of Joe's retirement years. He led "Team Joe" as together the family harvested pecans and shared in the joy of raising American Quarter Horses. Joe also enjoyed a special relationship with his nieces, nephews, and their children as they played and worked together. Joe's blue eyes, smile and loving ways brightened life for so many. The family wishes to thank his doctors and the nursing staff at Texoma Medical Center for the care and love they provided their loved one over the past months.
used with permission of Watts Funeral Home