Joseph Edward Hooten, 68 of Silver City, New Mexico passed away Monday, March 30, 2015 at Gila Regional Medical Center. A Memorial Service will be held at Bright Funeral Home Chapel on Saturday, April 4, 2015 at 10:00am. Inurnment will follow at Mountain View Cemetery in Lordsburg, New Mexico.

Joe is survived by his wife Debbie Howard, one son Eddie (Shannon) Hooten, three grandsons EJ, Aiden and Lloyd Hooten, thirteen brothers and sisters, Carl Hooten, James Hooten (Gloria), Larry Smith, Lisa Brown, Anna Milo (Oleo), Kay Jenkens (Lewis), Carrol Rodrguez (Sonny), John Stefanowiz (Emily), Jimmy Stefanowiz, Joseph Stefanowiz (Elaine), Jerry Stefanowiz (Sharon), Pat Hooten and Tom Hooten, four in-laws Connie Garza, Jacque Leyva(Martin), Sandi Montoya (Jody Lehfeld), Randy Howard (Dorothy). He is preceded in death by his biological parents Robert Smith and Juanita Brister and his adopted parents Ed and Isabelle Hooten.

Joe graduated high school Deming Consolidated Schools in1965. He then worked at Sharon Steele mine as an underground miner; from there he worked for the State Highway Department as an Equipment Operator. His last twenty four years was working for two local propane companies.

Joe loved doing things together with his loved ones, going fishing, hunting, shooting and camping. He was an avid outdoorsman.

Pallbearers will be Chris Garza, Tony Sierra, Frankie Rivera and Rick Truitt. Bright Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements, "Traditional Services and Care for your family and friends", 210 W. College Avenue, Silver City, NM 575-388-1911. To send condolences login to www.brightfuneral.net