Joseph Walter Levering

Joseph Walter Levering, age 86, of Smithville, Texas, passed away on May 13, 2025. Born on April 9, 1939, in Boston, Massachusetts, Joe spent his early years in Whittier, California, before his family moved to Dallas. He graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School 1957. Joe met his future wife, Jean Wilson, at First Congregational Church when he was 17. They both attended the University of Texas at Austin in the early 1960s, where Joe earned a degree in architecture.

Joe and Jean married on June 1, 1963, and began their life together in Austin. The young couple soon moved to Corpus Christi before settling in the piney woods near Smithville in 1973, where Joe designed and built their home and they raised their family.

The creative young couple would drive the family to art shows all over Texas where they sold Jean’s pottery and Joe’s wooden toys. In the 1980s, their passion for art led them to collaborate with fellow talented artists to found Gallery 71 and invigorate the early art scene in Smithville.

Joe was one of the founding members of the Heart of the Pines Volunteer Fire Department and remained a dedicated member for many years. He fought fires day and night to protect the woods he loved.

He is survived by his sons, Craig (wife Audri, Kent Island, MD) and Vrad (partner Carol, Oakland, CA); his brother, Paul; his sisters, Bette, Bonnie, Margaret; his grandchildren, Eva, Theo, Mayla; his nieces Lisa, Heather, Kyla, Camilla; his nephews Jack, Joe, Ben. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 57 years, Jean.

A graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 24, at Antioch Cemetery, 227 Antioch Rd., Smithville, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Heart of the Pines Volunteer Fire Department at the following link:

https://www.paypal.com/donate/?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=S9DM4K8RBEYXN&source=url&ssrt=1747972673706