William Nelson Smith

William Nelson "Ned" Smith William Nelson Smith, 88, passed away Tuesday, December 06, 2005 at a local hospital. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 pm Friday, December 9, 2005, with Dr. Tom Lyda and Rev. Chris Diebel officiating, at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road. Mr. Smith was born March 21, 1917 in Lancaster, Texas to John Jackson Smith and Eula Nelson Smith. He was a native of Dallas and graduated from North Dallas High School and the University of Texas. William married Norma McCommas on October 24, 1941. He served in the United States Army from 1941 to 1946, which included two years in European Theater of Operations. As Captain and Company Commander of the Infantry Rifle Company, he participated in combat action in Normandy, Southern France and Germany campaigns. He served in the 79th Division of War World II. He was awarded a Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster, Soldiers Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, Presidential Unit Citation and French Croix de Guerre. Mr. Smith was employed by Sun Oil Company for thirty-six years, retiring in April 1982, as Manager of Employee Relations. He moved to Abilene in May of 1988 and became a member of the Fairway Oaks Country Club in June of 1988. He served on the Board of Directors of the Fairway Oaks Homeowner's Association. He also served as a board member and President of Fairway Oaks Country Club. Mr. Smith is survived by his wife, Norma McCommas Smith; two sons, Nelson Scott Smith and his wife Harper of San Francisco, California, Gary Lynn Smith and his wife Carie of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; one daughter Karen Sue White and her husband Richard of Plano, Texas; and three grandchildren, Jennifer Scott Smith Alston and her husband Bryan of San Francisco, California, Caleb Gray Smith of Rock Springs, Wyoming and Hallie Carroll Smith of Lubbock, Texas. Memorials may be made to the donor's favorite charity