Joseph Joel Laxton, 38, of 3201 Duval Road, Apt. 816, Austin, Texas, passed away on Monday, July 12, 2010, at his residence.

Mr. Laxton was born Oct. 25, 1971, in Charleston, W.Va., the son of Ulysses McKinley Laxton Jr. and Betty Lou Bailey Laxton, currently of Mooresboro, N.C., formerly of Mooresboro, Ohio, and Spencer, W.Va., and a graduate of Spencer High School in 1968.

Joe enlisted into the United States Air Force in July of 1989 and served through July of 1993. He

accomplished

the rank of Senior

Airman in Las Vegas, Nev. He also served a tour of duty in Iraq. After leaving the Air Force, Joe obtained a job at National Instruments, where he worked his way up to become Territory Sales Manager for the Southeast U.S. and South America.

He is survived, in addition to his parents, by five brothers, Rick Laxton of Elkview, Andrew (Buddy) Laxton of South Carolina, James Laxton of Ohio, Alvin Laxton of Illinois and Chris Laxton of Ohio; and five sisters, Loretta Keeney of Spencer, Jenny Clark, Joyce Meyers, Ruthie Haynes, all of Charleston, and Barbara Hacker of Kentucky. He also leaves many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Mr. Laxton was preceded in death by a sister, Janie Smith, and his son, Zachery Braden Laxton.

Services for Mr. Laxton will be held Wednesday, July 21, at 11 a.m. in Springhill Funeral Home Chapel, 1011 S. Alabama Ave., Chesnee, conducted by the Rev. Douglas Thrift. Visitation will precede the service in the chapel from 10-11 a.m. with burial following the services in Springhill Memorial Gardens.

The family will be at the home of his parents, 6717 Highway 221, Mooresboro, N.C.

Arrangements by Shuford Hatcher Funeral Home.

An online register is available at www.shufordhatcherfuneralhome. com.