Bryan Smith

H. Bryan Smith, devoted husband, father, brother and grandpa, left his earthy body on December 10, 2022 with his beloved wife of 57 years by his side.

Bryan was born in Abilene on January 1, 1944 to Herman and Juanita Smith. The middle of five children, Bryan kept everybody around him on their toes. He married the love of his life, Linda, on April 10, 1964. Together they had two children, Melinda “Mindy” Gayle and Scottie Bryan. 

Beginning a long line of service to his community, Bryan enlisted with the National Guard in the early 1960’s. He then joined the Abilene Police Department on November 7, 1966. He was shot while he was off-duty on November 2, 1972, while trying to stop an armed robbery. After only a month of recovery, Bryan was back to serving his community. For his bravery, Bryan was awarded “Police Officer of the Year” by the VFW of Texas in 1973.

After 32 years, Bryan retired from the APD, where he had served on the motorcycle patrol, the safety cruiser and on patrol.  He went on to become a Special Deputy, United States Marshall for two years.

Continuing with serving others, Bryan was elected Justice of the Peace (Place 1, Precinct 1) in Taylor County where he remained for 12 years.

After years of service, Bryan fully retired on October 31, 2012 to spend more time with his bride. They spent time with their four granddaughters and Bryan did a lot of hunting in between. Bryan and Linda’s life and marriage is one that all around them admired. Linda’s love for her husband, nor her faith, never wavered and she was by his side every day until the end.

Bryan is preceded in death by his daughter, Mindy (Steve) McNally, his parents and his older brother Roger (Marion) Smith.

Those left to cherish his memory are his loving wife Linda Smith, his son Scottie (Kelly) Smith, sisters Pat (Jim) Cheek and Nita (Jimmie) Underwood, brother Danny (Kathy) Smith, granddaughters Ashley McNally, Caitlin (JD) Wilkerson, Hailey McNally and Marissa (James) Seibold, 5 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be at The Hamil Family Funeral Home on December 14, 2022 from 5 - 8. Services will be held on December 15, 2022 at 1:00pm at Zion Lutheran Church with graveside to follow. In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to the MS Society or to Zion Lutheran Church Building Fund.