Joe F. Hornsby's Obituary
Joe F. Hornsby, 81, of Fayetteville, Arkansas, passed away May 22, 2025.
He was born on February 2, 1944, in Denver, Colorado. Joe served honorably in the U.S. Navy as a hospital corpsman, providing medical care and support to fellow service members, a role that required skill, resilience, and compassion.
After his military service, he spent decades working as a computer programmer with Hertz in Oklahoma City, where he was a steady and valued presence and created lifelong friendships.
Joe was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Linda (Hill) Hornsby; his parents, William R. Hornsby and June (Cron) Hornsby; and his brother, Ric Hornsby.
He is survived by his daughter, Jenifer (Hornsby) Taylor of Chippingham, England; his grandsons, Zachary Taylor and Adam Hornsby, also of Chippingham; his brother, Don Hornsby (Carolyn) of Fayetteville; his niece, Michelle Hornsby Trumbo of Fayetteville; his nephew, Aaron Hornsby of Fayetteville; and his great-nieces, Holley Trumbo, Anna Trumbo, and Haylee Kunkel.
Joe loved motorcycles and rode for as long as he could, only stopping after an injury made it no longer possible. He enjoyed playing golf and was a lifelong baseball fan, having grown up playing the game and carrying that love with him throughout his life. He also loved playing the guitar and often joined friends and family for jam sessions. He never missed a good airshow and was known to randomly break into song, a habit that delighted his family and friends. His quick wit, love of storytelling, and signature straw hat — proudly reserved for special occasions — made him unforgettable.
He especially loved traveling and visiting his daughter and grandsons in England, where he enjoyed exploring the country and collecting stories along the way. He was extremely proud of his family and cherished every moment he spent with them. He had a vast knowledge of history and current events and could talk with insight and curiosity about almost any topic, often surprising people with his knowledge about a random detail or fact. Whether reminiscing about his childhood, sharing memories of family, or telling stories from the road, Joe had a way of bringing people in and making them laugh.
He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.
To sign the online guest book please visitwww.bernafuneralhomes.com
What’s your fondest memory of Joe?
What’s a lesson you learned from Joe?
Share a story where Joe's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Joe you’ll never forget.
How did Joe make you smile?