Donald Leonard Smith

Donald Leonard Smith April 7, 1928 February 19, 2012 Donald L. Smith, 83, of Woodway, passed away Sunday, February 19, 2012, at his country home in Smith Bend, Texas. Services will be at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, February 23, at Smith Bend Coon Creek Cemetery, FM-2114, Bosque County, TX, with the Rev. Nathan Cook officiating. Visitation will be 5:00 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, February 22, at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Funeral Home, 6101 Bosque Blvd., in Waco. Donald was born April 7, 1928, in Waco to Leonard and Leaffa Cooper Smith of Smith Bend, where his family lived for four generations. He moved to Houston as a young man where he met and married his beloved wife, Betty Ann Bell Smith, in 1950. Donald worked for 35 years in the corporate office of Southern Pacific Railroad in Houston before retiring and purchasing Walter's Equipment, Inc. in Waco. He retired as president from Walter's Equipment in 1995. He served as president and vice president of the Smith Bend Coon Creek Cemetery Association for some years. He was a rancher, hunter, fisherman, and loved operating his farm in Smith Bend, spending his time equally between his farm and his home in Woodway. He traveled extensively, loved genealogy, loved to play dominoes, and could speak knowledgably on a great many topics. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather and brother, who was loved by many and will be missed by all. He was preceded in death by his parents; and his son, Donald Leonard Smith, Jr. He is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Betty Smith of Waco; his daughters, Karen Edwards and husband, Ron, of Woodway, and Robin Simpson and husband, Scott, of Woodway; his grandchildren, Jessica Edwards, Jeffrey Edwards, Michael Edwards, Amanda Simpson and Katherine Simpson; and his sisters, Barbara Alexander of Jacksonville, Anne Duncan of Houston, Loeene Nelson of Cranfills Gap, Bette Sue Washburn of The Woodlands, and Sandra Walters of Cranfills Gap; his aunt, June Switzer; and many nieces and nephews. Pallbearers will be his grandsons, Jeffrey and Michael Edwards, his nephews, Robert Walters, Russell Washburn, John Elston, Charles Duncan III and his cousin, Thomas Burrus. Memorials may be made to the Smith Bend Coon Creek Cemetery Association, P.O. Box 5507, Laguna Park, TX 76649. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our "Memorial Guestbook" at www.WilkirsonHatchBailey.com. Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey