Joseph Wallace “Wally” Hewitt, 64, Mount Vernon, Mo., died May 7, 2012, in Springfield, Mo., after complications with surgery.

Joe was born Jan. 6, 1948, in Paola, to J.W. and Wilma Hamm Hewitt. Known as Wally growing up, he lived in Ottawa. After the death of this parents, he was raised by his aunt, Maxine Gallagher, and her husband Elmer and his grandparents in Osawatomie where he graduated from Osawatomie High School in 1966. He attended the University of Kansas, graduating in 1971 with a bachelor of art major in American studies. In 1988 he graduated with an associate’s degree in computer science from Johnson County Community College.

On Dec. 7, 1971, he met the love of his life, Susan Calton. They were married June 21, 1976, and made their home in Lawrence until moving to Mt. Vernon in 2005.

Joe started his career at KU’s Watson Library from 1971-76, working in cataloging and serials. In 1976, he moved to the KU Law Library, managing the online serials database. In 1994 he left KU and went to Washburn University to work in the law library working in automation and the computer lab. He was very proud of the accomplishments he made moving KU and Washburn forward in computer automation. However, his most treasured moments were the interaction with the students he taught as a volunteer instructor through the Western Civilization classes at KU in the honors programs. He loved helping students get the information they needed to complete projects as well as assisting them with everything from mentoring to learning how to use a computer. He was working at Missouri State University doing what he loved at the time of his death.

He was beloved by many colleagues and was known to fire up a good political conversation in his circle of friends that would end with his wonderful laugh being heard throughout the room. He loved good blues music and could be seen at many an establishment where the Big Smith Band was playing. He told a friend, “It’s the poets, not the politicians, that initiate the real change in our society.”

Joe was preceded in death by his parents, J.W. and Wilma Hewitt; grandparents, Wallace and Jesse Pierce Hamm, B.J. and Ada Pearl Heckadon Hewitt; and one nephew, Shawn Courtney.

Survivors include his wife, Susan Hewitt of the home; two brothers, Doug Hewitt (Alice) of Lawrence and their daughters, Traci Hewitt of Leawood and Lisa Tibbs (Brian) of Springfield, and John Hewitt (Betty) of Paola, and their daughters, Kristi Holtz and family of Brewster, Kan., Allyson McKinney and family of Newton, Kan., and Jennifer Hewitt of the home; one sister, Cathy Leaver of Osawatomie and her children, Lance Courtney (Megan) of Gardner and Catie Friend and family of Garnett; and his aunts, Maxine Gallagher of Paola, Doris Vasquez of Osawatomie, Ruby O’Connor of Burlington, Kan., and Beverly Metz of Emporia.

There will be a celebration of Joe’s life through pictures and stories on June 16 at his home in Mt. Vernon with his friends and family.