Willis Smith

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Willis Doyle "Smitty" Smith passed away Wednesday, May 14, 2008, at St. Catherine's Nursing Home in Waco, Texas.

Graveside services will be 3 p.m. Saturday, May 17, at Oakwood Cemetery with the Rev. Richard Roland officiating.

Visitation will be 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at OakCrest Funeral Home.

HIS LIFE STORY

Mr. Smith was born Jan. 1, 1926, in Waco, to Charlie S. and Addie Watkins Smith.

He attended Waco schools and Palestine High School. Mr. Smith, with his parents' consent, enlisted in the U.S. Navy in Palestine in February 1942.

He served on the minesweeper U.S.S. Herald A.M. 101, taking part in the invasions of Kiska, Saipan and Iwo Jima. He was awarded an honorable discharge in New Orleans in 1946. Mr. Smith married Ruth Carlene Stevens March 14, 1948, in Waco. She passed away Oct. 11, 2003.

Mr. Smith entered the finance business in 1949. By 1957, he owned and operated three companies in Waco: National Loan, Liberty Loan and Texas Credit and Collection Co. From 1960 to 1989, he was on the Board of Directors of the Texas Finance Institute in Austin. He retired in 1989.

Mr. Smith also served as a Reserve Deputy Constable in McLennan County. He took part in transporting prisoners to the Texas Department of Corrections in Huntsville.

Mr. Smith has been a long time member of Central Christian Church, serving as a Deacon and past president of the Crusaders Class.

He was preceded in death by his wife, three sisters, son-in-law and one grandson.

HIS SURVIVING FAMILY

He is survived by two sons, Michael D. Smith of Waco, and Roger C. Smith and wife, Pam, of Crawford; one daughter, Jennifer L. Denny and partner, Tom Mason, of Wichita, Kan.; grandsons, Nicholas Denny of Wichita, PFC Chris Denny of Ft. Sill, Okla., and Justin C. Smith of Crawford; granddaughter, Niki Smith of Waco; and several nieces and nephews.

MEMORIALS

Memorials may be made to Central Christian Church.