Edward I. Smith

Edward I. Smith, 87, died Wednesday, July 27, 2011, at an Abilene medical center. The son of Flora A. (Williams) and William E. "Worth" Smith, he was born in Eliasville, Texas in Stephens County. He graduated from high school in Eliasville in 1941 and attended the University of Wyoming. He later graduated from the University of Nebraska at Omaha in 1963. Edward served in the U. S. Army Air Corps from 1943 to 1945, and in the U. S. Air Force, from 1950 to 1969. He was a fighter pilot, having flown missions in both Korea and Vietnam. He served in Germany, Holland, and various assignments stateside, and retired while stationed at Clovis AFB after a 25-year military career. Mr. Smith was a farmer and cattle rancher in both Eastland and Taylor Counties. He married Anna Dell Koontz on February 12, 1950 in College Station, Texas. He was a member of Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Abilene. He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, William R. Smith; and a sister, Marilyn Drew. Survivors include his wife, Anna Dell Smith of Abilene; sons, William K. Smith of Washington D.C., and Herbert E. Smith of Austin, Texas; a sister-in-law, Rosalia Clemens of Lamesa; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Saturday, July 30, in The Hamil Family Funeral Home Chapel, 6449 Buffalo Gap Rd., with Rev. David Cason officiating. Interment will follow at a later date in Bickham Cemetery in Brazos County near Bryan, Texas Memorials may be made to the donor's favorite charity.