William Melton Smith's Obituary
William Melton (Bill) Smith, Sr., passed away peacefully on March 22, 2025, at the age of 96-years-old. Born August 12,1928 to Charles E., Sr & Merle Smith, in Shawnee, Oklahoma, he was a 1947 graduate of Classen High School, in Oklahoma City. Bill joined the Navy on November 10, 1948, and began his career at Tinker AFB in 1950 where he worked for 38 years and 4 months.
Bill is preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Dr. Charles E. Smith, Jr., Ernest W. Smith, David H. Smith, Robert L. Smith, Step-sister Doris Smith, and stepbrother Madison Smith.
Bill is survived by his wife, Joann, of Dallas, Texas; two brothers, James Smith, Dale Smith, and sister, Mary Ann Mckeithan; three children, sons William M. (Mel) smith, Jr., Charles A. Smith and daughter Sue Archer, and husband Rick, step-son, Michael Fincannon and wife, Pam; step-daughter, Lynda Smith and husband, Alan. He is also survived by 5 grandchildren, Dustin Archer, Crystal Davis, and husband Matthew, Charlie Smith, Skyler Smith, and Henry McDonald; and 2 Great-grandchildren, Olivia and Hannah Davis.
Our brother, father, husband, uncle, grandfather, and great-grandfather will be missed greatly
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