Joe Hamby, 66, a lifelong resident of Hereford, Texas, passed away on Monday, July 6, 2026, in Lubbock, Texas.
Graveside services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, at Restlawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Hereford, Texas, with Pastor Rodger Johnson officiating. Arrangements and services have been entrusted to Mendez and Mullins Family Funeral Home of Hereford.
Joe was born on May 2, 1960, in Hereford, Texas, to Durward and Erlene (Connally) Hamby. He attended Hereford High School and graduated in 1978.
After graduation, Joe attended Amarillo College, where he earned his Paramedic and EMT licenses. He later sought a pre-med degree from Lubbock Christian University.
Joe devoted much of his career to emergency medical services. He worked as an EMT instructor at Amarillo College for two to three years and served with EMS departments in Hereford, Friona, Dimmitt, Colorado City, and San Antonio, holding roles that ranged from paramedic to Director of EMS. He also served as a flight paramedic for Aero Care in Lubbock. Joe was a member of the Hereford Fire Department, serving alongside Hereford EMS from 1981-2004.
Later in life, Joe started his own millwright business, which he continued to operate until the present.
Joe enjoyed fishing, cooking, grilling, and making his well-loved shrimp gumbo. More than anything, he loved telling stories and visiting with family and friends.
Joe’s presence, smile, and laughter will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.
Those left to cherish Joe’s memory include his children, Cody Williams of Tennessee and Jacquelyn Shields and her husband, Austin, of Wolfforth, Texas; his siblings, James Hamby and his wife, Lily, Lesly Hamby and his wife, Kelly, all of Hereford, Texas, and Jan Hamby Hodap and her husband, Peter, of Tucson, Arizona; and his grandchildren, Hunter William Shields and Harper Shyann Shields, both of Wolfforth, Texas. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.
Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Durward and Erlene Hamby, and his brother, Terry Lee Hamby.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Hereford Fire Department, 215 N. Miles Avenue, Hereford, Texas 79045.
Guests may sign the online guestbook at www.mendezandmullins. com.