Obituaries

Walter Eugene Smith

Photo of Walter Eugene Smith
Walter Eugene Smith, age 94, died on Sept. 13, 2015 in the Rapid City Regional Hospice House of Rapid City, S.D. He was born on Feb. 20, 1921 in Augusta KS to Errie Clavel Smith and Maude Briggs-Smith. He was preceded in death by his parents, three wives (Helen Boyd–Smith, Dorothy Boyd-Smith and Wheletta Jo Johnson-Smith), brother, Jack Smith and nephew, Ricky Smith. Walter retired from ESSO Libya after many years as a Field Supervisor in Venezuela and Libya. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Fayetteville, Ark. and a volunteer at the Fayetteville Public Library on Dickson Street. He was proud of his heritage and a Charter Member of the General Lafayette Chapter of Sons of the American Revolution in Fayetteville, ArkR. He served in WWII with the 351st Bomb Group, 510 Squadron, 8th Air Force, stationed in Polebrook, England. He was also a member of the Air Force Association. He is survived by a daughter, Karen Hodet (Robert), Rapid City, S.D.; grandson, Christien Hodet (JoAn), Milan, Mich.; granddaughter, Erin Neal (Michael), Rapid City, S.D.; four great grandchildren – Aidan and Mallory Neal of Rapid City, S.D. and Asher and Jadon Hodet of Milan, Mich.; great-nieces with children, Kathryn Swaney (Zack) with Olivia Ryn and Lincoln Alexander of Tomball, Texas and Jacquelyn Eighmy with Hayden Don and Conrad Lee of Pittsburg, Kan.; nephews, Gary Smith (Elaine) of Baton Rouge, La. and Timothy Smith (Jami) of Spokane, Wash. The family will receive friends Sunday, Sept. 20 from 2-4 p.m. at Nelson Berna Funeral Home. A Graveside Service and burial in Fairview Memorial Gardens, Fayetteville, Ark. will be on Monday, Sept. 21 at 10 a.m. with Walter's grandson, Pastor Christien M. Hodet officiating. The family has designated the Rapid City Regional Hospice House, Rapid City, S.D. and the Humane Society of the Black Hills, Rapid City, S.D. as organizations that memorial contributions be made to. Online condolences at www.nelsonberna.com.

Published September 17, 2015

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