Joe Pat Bettis
Joe Pat Bettis, 92, died on February 17, 2025 in the Butler VA Community Living Center. He was born December 17, 1932 in Brownwood Texas. He was the son of the late Frank Girard & Myrtle (Paterson) Bettis.
Joe graduated from high school in Wichita Falls, Texas. He enlisted in the Army in 1951, and was a paratrooper with the 89th Airborne in Ft. Campbell, Kentucky. He served stateside during the Korean War. He claimed, and it has never been disputed, that he successfully kept the North Koreans out of Kentucky. He was also a chef, attending a military baking school. His biscuits and gravy, and pies, were always a treat for family and friends.
Following the war, he married Nancy Duke in Wichita Falls, Texas. They were married 63 years until her death in 2018.
Joe was a self-taught geological draftsman in the oil and gas industry for many years, later working as a seismic broker.
Joe was a longtime friend of Bill W, celebrating 57 years of sobriety. He often spoke how 57 years ‘was taking sobriety way too seriously”. Joe was not very anonymous about the program, as he helped countless individuals during those 57 years.
Even at 92 years of age, Joe was not intimidated by technology. He watched youtube videos, managed his bank accounts online, and texted to everyone. He loved communicating with his grandchildren who he adored.
Joe loved to build and fix things. He constructed model boats and airplanes, tied trout flies, and even converted a boat house to an apartment on his property in the Hill Country of Texas. He often did things his own way. Whenever an electrician or plumber comes for occasional repairs or maintenance of the property we typically hear them say “I have never seen it done that way before!”
In addition to his parents, Joe was preceded in death by his wife, Nancy (Duke) Bettis, his brother Richard Baker Bettis, and his daughter, Sherry Sue Bettis, who passed away in 2024.
He is survived by his daughter Nanette Bettis Curtis (Richard), Moon Township, PA and grandchildren Joshua Richard Curtis and Leah Jo Curtis (Fiance’ Brian Roe), Sister in law, Carol Gallagher, and niece Tammy Green.
There will be no public viewing. A memorial service will be held at Christ Church at Grove Farm, 249 Duff Road, Sewickley PA 15143, on Saturday, March 1, 2025 at 11:00am. Joe will be buried in the family plot in Whitesboro, Texas.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to the charity of your choice.
The family is forever grateful to the staff at the Butler Veterans Administration Community Living Center in Butler PA for their kindness and wonderful care of Joe when he was in hospice care.
4 thoughts on “Joe Pat Bettis”
Thank you so much for this story of Joe Pat’s life.
I have fond memories of him. We’ll celebrate with him and many other family members in God’s perfect timing.
Our family loved Joe Pat and his family very much. He lived a full life and should now be able to kick back a little and enjoy the afterlife.
Joe lived a full life, and he did it with generosity, concern for others and genuine “can do” spirit. He was a good man. I love him and his family, and I pray for God’s comfort and peace in the days ahead.
I have so many wonderful memories which include Joe. Our families enjoyed the Guadalupe River together, commutes to downtown Houston, Bill W., biscuits with gravy, and profound words of wisdom. I appreciated his advice over the years, as he always steered me in the right direction and my heart breaks for his family. I loved his sense of humor and ability to shoot straight from the hip, telling it exactly the way it was, no sugar coating. I send my sincerest condolences and prayers to his family.