Joe Lee Nixon

Joe Lee Nixon
October 3, 1928 - October 19, 2025

Joe Lee Nixon, beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather of Hondo, was called to the Lord's service on Sunday, October 19, 2025.

Born October 3, 1928, to John Phillip Nixon and Eva (Ward) Nixon, Joe grew up in Yancey, Texas on the family ranch with his brother Ray and sisters Annette and Nell.

Joe was an exceptional fiddle player and singer, who began playing the fiddle at the age of 5 with the Wilhoits Orchestra. Joe continued playing and singing through high school and was a founding member of the "real" Rolling Stones western music band from 1946-1954.

Joe played and sang for numerous weddings, funerals, and other special events around the area, all while continuing to serve the Lord by using this talent in church as well.

Joe lead the singing at numerous revivals and at different churches around the area including the Pearsall Baptist for 2 years, Calvary Baptist in Devine for 17 years, and First Baptist Hondo for 28 years as well as serving as a deacon and teaching Sunday school class.
Joe performed at the Cowboy church in Hondo for 3 years and played, sang, and taught the Bible at the Medina County Jail services for 3 years.

Joe was a part of The American Tradition bluegrass band where he won several awards for best fiddle player and they won as best band as they traveled throughout Texas, Oklahoma and Louisiana for festivals.
Joe also played and sang with the band, Western Swing, during his golden years around south Texas.

Joe married his sweetheart, Ivy Jean Null, on November 7, 1951 at the Yancey Baptist church and settled on their ranch in Yancey but later moved to Hondo in 1967.

Joe was also a life-long cattle rancher in addition to working various jobs around the area including at Doss Aviation where he worked refueling the planes and as an aircraft mechanic at the Hondo Airbase, as a tire test fleet driver working nights, teller at Hondo National Bank, was the Medina County Commodity distribution supervisor, and an eligibility worker for the Department of Welfare where he retired in 1991.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Ray, sister Nell, infant sister, and wife of 51 years, Ivy Jean Nixon.

Joe is survived by his sister Annette Nixon, daughters Jan Nixon, Julie Nixon, Joleen Torres, son-in-law Rico Torres; grandchildren Justin (Leslie) Been, Jillian Coyle, Hannah Torres, Dalton Luckey, Travis Torres, and Jack Loera.
Great grandchildren Wiley Been, Waylon Been and Liam Coyle, including numerous nieces and nephews.

Joe will be remembered for his kind gentle spirit, his witty sense of humor, loving old cars, loving to play his fiddle or guitar and sing, being a loving father, and most of all the love he had for his Savior Jesus Christ.

A private burial service was held on October 24, 2025 at the Yancey cemetery.

Our family wants to express our appreciation to Community Care of Hondo and the all the staff who cared for him the last 4 1/2 years.

Arrangements made by Guinn-Horger funeral home.