Joe Royce Peterson, 72, of Kountze, died Sunday, March 11, 2012, at his residence.  Born January 16, 1940, in Crockett, to Stella Pethenia (Sanders) and Earl Louis Peterson, he had been a resident of Kountze since 1976.  Joe was retired from Motiva in Port Arthur as a powerhouse operator and proudly served his country in the United States Army.  He was a charter member of Cornerstone Baptist Church in Kountze.

Survivors include his wife, Rita Peterson of Kountze; daughters, Rebecca Walton and her husband, Jarrod of Kountze, Samantha Karst and her husband, Steve of Houston, and Melissa Hatcher and her fiance’ Chris Hutchison of Kountze; sister, Kathryn Volker of Hillsborough; grandchildren, Hannah Walton, Grace Walton, Mason Walton, Gavin Robles, and Jack Hutchison; great grandson, Carson Walton; and special friends, Roy and Diane Langston and Robert and Geri Hunt.

His funeral service will be 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, March 14, 2012, at Cornerstone Baptist Church, 1600 S. Pine, Kountze with Reverend Tony Thornton and Reverend Joe Patterson officiating.  Burial will follow at Old Hardin Cemetery in Kountze.  A gathering of his family and friends will be from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Tuesday, March 13, 2012, at Broussard’s, 530 W. Monroe, Kountze.