Joe Phillip Liberty

Joe Phillip Liberty died at home on January 2, 2026.  He was born in Big Spring, Texas on August 7, 1937 and grew up living on the family’s cotton farm near Ackerly, Texas.  Joe and his sister, Linda Kay Dyer attended the schools of the local area before attending and graduating from Big Spring High School, while his mother, Gene Dyer and husband Elmer made a life on the farm.

On the way to graduation from High School Joe decided that his future lay in Banking or Investment Management rather than farming and that Texas A&M was the right place to start.  The plan changed during his freshman year however when he realized how lonely and dark it could get hitchhiking from Bryan-College Station back and forth to Big Spring to see his beloved girlfriend, Nancy King.  A plan was soon hatched for them to marry in September 1957 and attend the University of Texas at Austin together in the Fall.

Nancy & Joe attended classes and worked together to build the foundation for their future with Joe graduating with a concentration in economics and landing his first job in Houston with Rotan Mosle.  After Joe accepting and moving to Dallas for a better opportunity, Todd was born in 1961.  Finally, with the help, counsel, and a $50/month loan from a family friend, Nancy and Joe made the move back to West Texas to pursue continued work at Rauscher Pierce Refsnes in Midland.  Blake was born in 1963 and brought home to their new home on Douglas Ave where they would live, raise their family and host many friends over the years until 1979.

With Joe’s work ethic and Nancy & Joe’s commitment to their plan, it was not long until they were chasing hobbies in addition to trying to keep up with Todd & Blake’s activities.  Joe tried many and far-ranging hobbies, finally settling into the tennis craze of the late 60’s & 70’s, bird hunting and continuing his voracious reading habit.  Nancy & Joe built their dream home in 1979 at Crescent Place and hosted friends and family there for many years in the “new venue” with great joy.

Professionally Joe was always committed to the long-term success of his clients.  In his early Midland years, it was challenging to successfully position his “slow and steady” proposition of investing in such an entrepreneurial environment as Midland.  Over the years the success of his client’s and his appeal to, “…just let me help you with your serious money” resulted in building his personal success into a successful team, The Liberty Group at UBS, from which he retired in 2014.

Joe will be remembered for his integrity, work ethic and listening skills by all those who knew him and his ability to put a person at ease.  One friend of the family described him succinctly in a recent note by sharing, “…I always loved seeing him.  He was quick with a hug and a kind word”.

Joe is preceded in death by his father, Gerald Liberty, parents, Gene and Elmer Dyer and wife, Nancy K. Liberty.  Joe is survived by his sister, Linda K. Dyer, sister-in-law Sara K. Webb and husband Tom. Joe’s two sons are Todd Liberty and wife Martha, Blake Liberty and wife Kris and a niece Carey Kint.  Joe has five grandchildren that he loved trying to keep track of, Beth Avery and husband Trevor, Rachel Liberty and husband Dustin Fairbrook, Kris Zecca and husband Hank, Jayden Liberty and Joseph Liberty.  There is also Joe’s great nephew, Jeff Webb and wife Lisa, great niece, Julie Kinlaw and husband Riley.  The line continues, (so far), with five great grandchildren, Levi, Cameron, Lucy, Heather and Luke, four great nieces Nola, Caidyn, Audrey, Melissa and four great nephews, Matthew, Colby, Connor and Thomas.

The family wishes to offer special thanks to Joe’s dedicated helpers and caregivers Benita Lujan and Marina Beltran, whose consistent attention and sense of humor provided comfort to him daily and kept him on his toes.

A celebration of Joe’s life will be held at First Methodist Church on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at 11:00 am.  That evening from 5:00 to 7:00 pm the family will host a reception for family and friends to celebrate Joe at the Petroleum Club.

Honorary pallbearers are Jim Walton, Clint Hurt, Dan Michel, Alan Jones, Joseph Liberty and Jeff Webb.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial contribution to High Sky Children’s Ranch, Midland Memorial Foundation or the charity of your choice.

Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland. Online condolences can be made at www.npwelch.com.

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