Joe Walter Banks

Joe Walter Banks age 76, passed from this earth to his eternal reward on October 23, 2025. He was born in Oklahoma City, OK to parents Oliver Joseph Banks and Mary Gale Howard Banks on September 21, 1949. He was raised in Midwest City and graduated from Carl Albert Senior High School in 1967. Joe joined the Army Reserves in 1968 and was honorably discharged in 1975 from his unit in Norman, OK as an Aircraft Electrician. Joe married the love of his life Elizabeth (Liz) Bonner Banks on February 16, 1970. They lived and raised their two sons in the Midwest City/Choctaw area. He was a long standing member of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in McLoud, OK.

Joe had many talents. He started his life-long love of playing the drums at the age of 15. He enjoyed playing with many local bands. Whether it was Rock, Country, Blues and anything in between, he loved all music. He was an avid reader and loved talking about what new book he had discovered. You didn’t have to read the book because he would tell you all about it. If anybody had a music or History question, he usually had the answer or would find it. He was also known for writing songs and poetry that he loved sharing with friends and loved ones. His music room walls display many of his drawings and caricatures. He loved western movies, music videos, and the New York Yankees. Clint Eastwood, The Beatles, and Yogi Berra, what a lineup. Friendships were precious to him and he didn’t take them for granted.

Joe started his printing profession as a linotype operator and worked his way up to a pressman at Times Journal Corporation. He took a break from printing to go to college. He was inducted into Phi Theta Kappa Society International Scholastic Order at OSU-OKC in 1996. He returned to Printing and retired from Globe Life Marketing in 2019.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Oliver and Mary Banks, sister Charlotte Banks and nephew Trey Manek.

He is survived by his wife Elizabeth Banks, sons Rhett Banks and wife Mickie of Tecumseh, and Justin Banks and wife Lisa of Sand Springs.

Grandchildren: Lisa and Tim Skipper of Harrah, Tony and Kerbie Charlow of McLoud, Chelsea Banks and Chad Whitehead of OKC, Tyler (Banks) Buckles of Moore, Bailey and Dakota Byus of Chandler, Abigail Banks of Tulsa, Ava and Lilly Taylor of Sand Springs.

Great-Grandchildren: Tyson, Payton, Brookelyn, Paige, Brennen, Liam, Aiden, Kimber and Maggie. Great-Great-Grandchild: Brinkleigh.

He is also survived by his niece Traci Manek Sorrells, and her family, of OKC.

A visitation will be held at Bill Eisenhour Funeral Home at Sunny Lane Cemetery, located at 4000 SE 29th Street, Del City, OK 73115, on October 28, 2025, from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

The Funeral Mass will take place at St. Vincent De Paul Catholic Church, located at 123 S. 9th St., McLoud, OK 74851, on October 29, 2025, at 2:00 pm.