William Carl Smith

William Carl Smith of Plano, Texas passed away peacefully at his home on Friday, November 28, 2014 surrounded by his children, some grandchildren and a few great-grandchildren. He was born on October 20, 1930 in Rixford, Pennsylvania to Lloyd Dowler Smith and Agnes Marie (Kruise) Smith. He grew up on a farm and during his childhood he took up other past times such as playing the drums, bugle and football. He spoke often to his grandchildren about a raft that he built and loved to take out on the creek but which was lost during the Great Smethport Rainstorm of 1942 during which 30.8 inches of rain fell in 4.5 hours.

He attended Kane High School and was an outstanding student, particularly in math. After high school, he joined the Army. Soon after joining the Army he made a trip back to Pennsylvania and married his 3rd grade sweetheart, Mona Joye Swanson, of Mt. Jewett, Pennsylvania. He served in the Army for 22 years in duty stations in New York, Massachusetts, Germany, Oklahoma, Colorado, Texas, Pennsylvania, Minnesota and Korea. At his graduation from the NCO Academy in 1951, he was named honor graduate, achieving the highest grades in all phases of the course. In his later years in the military he was a Nike missile technician and retired as a Chief Warrant Officer 3.

He and Mona had 9 children, eight who survived to adulthood. The children were all taught by their parents to be honest, self-reliant, and family-oriented, have respect for others and the importance of diversity.

After leaving the military in 1968, the family settled in Plano, Texas, after Bill accepted a job with Texas Instruments. He worked for TI for many years, retiring in 1990 after 22 years and attaining the “Gold Badge” level.

During his spare time, Bill enjoyed square-dancing with Mona as part of the Plano Squares and also loved ballroom dancing. After retirement, they traveled extensively in their motorhome all throughout the United States, camping with family and friends and visiting his brothers and sisters. For many years, they spent their summers in their beloved Mt. Jewett, Pennsylvania sharing time with extended families and enjoying their kid’s summer visits to see them at “the farm”.

Bill was a proud member of the Sons of the American Revolution having joined in just the last few years after extensive research on his family tree by several family members. He was also a proud member of the Mt. Jewett Pennsylvania American Legion (Post #574) and VFW (Post #6357) for many, many years.

He and Mona were both always thrilled to have visitors and the door was always open for a cup of coffee and some good conversation. With his sharp wit, folks had to stay on their toes or be caught in one of his quick witted barbs. The twinkle in his eye was always there to hint at the joy he got from his family and friends.

Bill is survived by his children, Lee Martin Smith and wife Nonglux “Dang” of Ft. Walton Beach, Florida; Timothy Carl Smith of Plano, Texas; William George “Tinker” Smith and wife Wendy of Ramona, California; Marie Elizabeth Smith Wooten and husband James of Plano, Texas; Karen Suzanne Smith-Rosamond of Plano, Texas; Mona “Toodles” Turner of Plano, Texas; Melanie Grace Smith Green of Durant, Oklahoma; and James Emil Smith and wife, Julie, of Durant, Oklahoma; his brother, Darrell Harlan and wife, Alice, of Pittsfield, Pennsylvania; sister, Sandra Dulyea and husband, Ron, of Kane, Pennsylvania; and sister, Alice Yount of Bow, Washington; Jane Harlan, sister-in-law of Kane, Pennsylvania; 20 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Mona; his parents; daughter, Kathleen Ruth; brothers, Ronald Harlan, Leroy Harlan and Lloyd Smith and sisters, Mary Sikkema and Helen Senese.

Honorary pallbearers will be Michael Smith, James Wooten, Jeff Turner, Keith Smith, Carl Smith, Patrick Smith, Ryan Green, Josh Smith, Jordan Smith and Joseph Smith; all grandsons.

Friends will be received from 6-8 p.m. on Monday at the Ted Dickey Funeral Home in Plano, Texas. Services will be held at the funeral home at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 2, 2014. He will be buried beside his wife of 63 years at Mt. Nebo Cemetery in Mt. Jewett, Pennsylvania.