No picture provided.
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Spouse: |
Bonnie Smith
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Children: |
Gary E. Smith Linda G. Card & Barbara A. Martin
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Grandchildren: |
Dawn Amie Mills Sean Smith Preston Smith Great Grandchildren Paige Ballow Trent Ballow Nicholas Mills
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Parents: |
George Milt & Lillian Lectie Smith
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Siblings: |
Guy William Hunter Milt Jr. James Howard Hall Earl Albert Gentry Mary & Della Smith Ruby Poindexter Stella Blythe Lorane Oliver May Ott Ruth Wright Grace Zito & Millie Dean Hendrick
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Grandparents: |
None listed
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Family
Legacies™ |
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Cemetery Location Map to Gravesite |
Birth Date: 2/15/1922
Death Date: 11/11/1999
Oaklawn Memorial Gardens Cemetery
Eternal Peace, Lot 41, Grave 3C
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Willie E. Smith was born in Cumberland County, Kentucky. He left the family farm on Kettle Creek and went to Illinois to live with his brother Guy and his family prior to and after World War II.
He served in the Army 82nd Airborne Division. As a paratrooper, he and his company jumped pre-D-Day and as Pathfinders, the 508 set up radar to guide in the Allieds for the Normandy Invasion. He also jumped in September, 1944, and took part in the Battle of the Bulge. Along with two purple hearts and numerous commendations, W. E. was awarded the Bronze Star.
From IL, W. E. settled in Indianapolis and started to work for then Pennsylvania Railroad. He retired from Conrail as a Yard Conductor in Jan. 1983. He and Bonnie raised their children on the eastside of Indianapolis.
On April 11, 1998, a surprise party was held for their 50th wedding anniversary at the Moose Lodge #17.
An avid bowler, he was proud of his award for the high series in the 1999 Senior Singles Tournament. He also enjoyed golf, reading, gardening, wine making, fishing, hunting, baseball, solitaire and going to Hardees.
In addition to his wife and children, W.E. is survived by three grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, four brothers, five sisters and numerous nieces and nephews. |
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W.E. entered the military at the age of 18 yrs. old.
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W.E. sitting with Linda & Barbara ( Barbara is the one on her knees).
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Christmas 1998. Dad,Mom, Linda, Paige (4 yrs. old) and Trent (3 yrs. old).
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Bonnie & W.E. getting ready to tee off at Whispering Hills in June of 1991.
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Grandson Preston, Special to "Pa".
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Son Gary with his grandchildren Trent & Paige. (W.E.'s great-grandchildren)
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Christmas 1998. W.E. with great-grandchild Trent.
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At "Rush" & "Long" reunion in Seymour, IN. Daughter Barbara and her husband Buddy, with W.E. peeking in!
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1999 Smith reunion. W. E. with his brother and sisters.
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Linda & Barbara.
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