Col. (Ret) William Arthur Smith, 88

GERRARDSTOWN, W.Va. - William Arthur Smith, passed away peacefully in his daughter's home in Gerrardstown, on Jan. 5, 2009. He was 88. Born on Jan. 1, 1921, to Harold and Martha Smith in Clayton, Del., and raised in Bacon Switch, Del., he graduated from Laurel High School in 1940. He enlisted in the Delaware National Guards on Oct. 16, 1939. CPL Smith was called to National Duty on Jan. 27, 1941, and served three years in C Battery 261st Coast Artillery before being transferred to 193rd Field Artillery, Ft. Jackson, S.C., where he was promoted to Staff SGT. He volunteered for parachute school at Ft. Benning, Ga. Upon completion, he was shipped to Europe, landing in France, and was assigned to 517th P.I.R. (Parachute Infantry Regiment) as a Platoon SGT, serving six months in the European Theater of Operations (ETO) in France, Belgium, and Germany. T/SGT Smith returned from the ETO in August 1945, after receiving the Bronze Star Combat Infantry Badge and four battle stars. He re-enlisted in the Delaware National Guards after receiving a 2nd LT commission. After spending years progressing through the ranks, he retired at the rank of Colonel in 1970, ending a 28 year military career. As a retiree, he spent many hours developing and promoting the Delaware National Guard Retired Officers Association and served as President for several years. After marriage he moved his family to Newark, Del., where he completed his tour of service. Col. Smith received the following awards during his retirement: Delaware Distinguished Service Medal; Delaware Conspicuous Service Cross; Delaware National Guard (DNG) Camp Honoree; and Concord Minuteman for long and faithful service. He was a lifetime member for the DNG Retired Officers Association, and Member of MOWW (Military Order World Wars). He was a lifetime member of Hope Lodge 4, Laurel, Del. Col. Smith was an avid "behind the scene" Guard's photographer and known for his love of the camera by his family, loved ones, and fellow service persons. He was preceded in death by his son, Arthur Harold Smith, in 2007. He is survived by his beloved wife of 60 years, Ruby M. Phillips Smith; his daughter, Lee Cloughfeather and her partner Mary Gregg, of Gerrardstown; his sister, Helen Marie Russell of Seaford, Del.; grandson, Garron Forshey of Newark, Del.; granddaughter, Michelle Forshey and her partner Jeff Chandler, of Millsboro, Del.; and granddaughter, Shannon Forshey and her partner Brian Ball, of Martinsburg; great-grandson, Tyler Forshey of Martinsburg; and his second family, the Delaware National Guard, lead by Major General Francis D. Vavala, The Adjutant General, Del. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 12, 2009, at the Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Home, 121 W. Park Place, Newark, Del. On Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2009, the family will again receive friends at the Kingswood United Methodist Church, 300 Marrows Rd, Newark, Del, from 10 to 11 a.m. The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. A committal service with military honors will be held at 2 p.m. in the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 2465 Chesapeake City Road, Bear, Del. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions be made to "Retired Officers Association," c/o DE National Guard, Attn: Major General Vavala, First Regiment Road, Wilmington, DE 19808-2191. To sign guest register visit www.spicermullikin.com.