Joe Provence, who served Wayland Baptist University in a variety of roles, died Jan. 21. He was 82. He was born Aug. 29,1939, in Hillsboro to E.E. and Mildred Harris Provence. He married Freda Taylor on Aug. 18,1961, in Lubbock. He graduated from Wayland Baptist University in 1966. The following year, he was employed as Wayland’s director of recruitment and promotion. Over the course of the next four decades, he served Wayland as director of public relations, director of student activities and director of alumni services. He was named emeritus director of alumni services by Wayland’s board of trustees in 2006. He was ordained as a deacon at College Heights Baptist Church in Plainview in August 2016. Wayland honored Joe and Freda Provence with its Distinguished Alumni Award, Spirit of Philanthropy Award and President’s Award. The Provences also were inducted into the Wayland Athletic Hall of Honor. “I have known and worked with Joe for more than 40 years and consider him a dear friend,” Wayland President Bobby Hall said. “He has meant so much to the life of this university through his love for our students and his support of our programs. His influence can be seen all around campus, and we are thankful for all he and Freda have done for the university. And while we will truly miss him, we celebrate his life and legacy at Wayland Baptist University.” He was preceded in death by a brother, Sam Provence, and a sister, Louise Provence Laine. He is survived by his wife of 60 years Freda Provence of Plainview and his sister, Louise Provence Laine.
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