Derriel Ray Smith

Derriel Ray Smith, Sr., 78, of Abilene, passed away on Friday, May 1, 2020 at his home in Abilene. Viewing will be Sunday, May 3, 2020, from 3 p.m. - 5 p.m. at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road. Due to state regulations regarding COVID-19, attendance will be restricted to 10 people at a time. Please take this into consideration when visiting with the family that others may be waiting. Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Monday, May 4, 2020 at the Potosi Baptist Church with Gordon Sidwell and Ben Wilson, officiating. Interment will follow in the Potosi Cemetery under the direction of The Hamil Family Funeral Home. Derriel was born on March 5, 1942 in Abilene to the late F.R. “Bunt” and Viola (Arrick) Smith. He and Janet Webb were married on October 15, 1967 in Potosi. He received a degree from Southwest School of Electronics. Derriel was employed with Lockheed Martin, IBM, and later with the City of Abilene. He also worked as a barber at one point in his life. He retired in 2000. Derriel was an avid fisherman and coin collector. He loved feeding hummingbirds, shelling pecans, working with his hands, restoring old fishing rods, and spending time with his dog, Pepper. Derriel was an ordained minister and he was a member of the Potosi Baptist Church where he served as a deacon. He has been a resident of Abilene most of his life. Derriel is survived by wife of 52 years, Janet of Abilene; three sons, Derriel Smith, Jr. and wife Teresa, Jeff Smith and wife Julie all of Abilene and Tim Smith and wife Traci of Copperas Cove, Texas; one daughter, Jennifer Smith and fiancé John Torres of Abilene; one sister, Mary Frances Erwin and husband Jack of Abilene; six grandchildren, Eric Smith, Rochelle Smith, Justin Torres, Jessica Smith, Josey Smith and Joshua Smith and five great grandchildren. The family of Derriel Smith extend thanks for all your prayers, support, and good wishes.