Little Elm, Texas – Joseph Benjamin Bailey, 91, son of Hubert Edgar and Edna Josephine Bailey passed away at his home on Wednesday, January 20 ^th .  By his side was his eternal companion and wife of almost 46 years, Jeanette Bailey. He is survived by Jeanette, his daughters M'Lisa (Kurt) Hansen of Taylorsville, UT; and Whitney Goldfine of Cave Creek, AZ; his sons Donald (Tobi) Moreland of Whitney, TX; H Shepard (Tammi) Bailey of Allen, TX; and JT (Cynthia) McWilliams of Braselton, GA; his brother Lindel (Karen) Bailey of Blanchard, OK; 26 grandchildren & 26 great grandchildren, the youngest only 8 days old at Joe's passing.   He was preceded in death by five of his younger siblings Janell, Dean, Annetta Kae, Dale and Deloyd, and by his son Bill Moreland.

Joe was born in Fort Cobb, Oklahoma on March 7, 1929.  He graduated from Fort Cobb High School in 1946 and enlisted in the military soon thereafter. As an active-duty soldier he was stationed at Fort Richardson (Anchorage, AK).  After an honorable discharge, he enrolled in Oklahoma A&M (OSU today) in Stillwater, OK on the GI Bill.  While majoring in Business Administration, he also trained for four years in the Reserve Officers' Training Corps.  Upon graduation in the spring of 1952 amidst the outbreak of the Korean War (Jun'50-Jul'53), Joe began his second active-duty enlistment as a Signal Officer (Second Lieutenant) in the U.S. Army Signal Corps stationed at the Ogden (UT) Arsenal, now part of Hill Air Force Base.

Joe and his family joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in 1966.  He was a tireless missionary for the church in inviting his extended family and friends into the waters of baptism. Joe never flinched nor faltered in his consuming love for and trust in his Father in Heaven and in His Son, our Savior Jesus Christ, and in his conviction of the truthfulness of the church.

Joe and Jeanette were married on March 28, 1975, and sealed for time and all eternity in the Salt Lake City, Utah Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

In his professional life, Joe was a renowned pioneer and leader, and an almost unrivaled auctioneer, plying his trade with a cry and a call second to none.  His bread and butter were heavy construction equipment and oilfield equipment, which saw Joe crisscrossing the country for 30 years keeping the big wheels rolling and the crude oil flowing.  In addition, countless homemade pies were auctioned at church parties and fundraisers. Joe even unleashed his "cattle rattle" at his 90 ^th birthday party, wowing the crowd at not having lost a step.

Services will be held Saturday, January 30 ^th at 2:00 p.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 8801 Martop Road, Aubrey, Texas 76227.  For safety precautions, the funeral will not be preceded by a traditional viewing. Face covering and social distancing will be observed.  Interment will be held at Roselawn Memorial Park at 3801 Roselawn Drive, Denton, Texas 76207 immediately following the funeral.

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