Joe Fletcher Bland

Joe Fletcher Bland, 81 of Temple went to meet Jesus face to face Monday, October 8, 2018. A visitation will be held on Tuesday, October 9, 2018 from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. at Crotty Funeral Home in Belton. Funeral services will be held at 9:00 A.M. on Wednesday, October 10, 2018 at First Baptist Church in Florence with Pastor Troy Allen, Pastor Wes Willy, and Pastor Randy Hale officiating. Burial will follow with military honors at Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Killeen. Joe was born on September 12, 1937 to Hershel and Ida Mae Bland in Little River, Texas. Joe married Lois Wheeler on August 23, 1991 in Florence. He spent 28 years with the United States Postal Service. Joe honorably served four years in the United States Air Force and three years with the National Guard before retiring. He also retired with years of service from Florence ISD, and Georgetown ISD. He was a Mason for 50 years and a member of Knob Creek Lodge #401. After retiring he also worked for Union State Bank and Fort Hood Transportation. He was preceded in death by his father and mother Hershel and Ida Mae Bland; his brothers, James , Harold (Wimp), and Weldon (Rusty); his sisters, Mary Church, Annie Sommers, and Ida Nell Hansen. He leaves behind his beloved wife, Lois Fay Bland of twenty seven years; his daughters, Sharon Bland Mathews, Trisha Bland Cook and husband, Myron, and Celeste Christiansen; his sons, Joe Richard Bland, and David Christiansen; his sister, Martha Janes; his grandchildren, Joshua Mathews and Kennedy Cook; his great grandchildren, Keridon Mathews, Cole Mathews, and numerous nephews, nieces, friends, and family. Arrangements are entrusted to Crotty Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Belton. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Joe Fletcher Bland please visit our Sympathy Store.