Wayne A. Smith

Bicknell, Utah - Wayne Alfred Smith, age 84, of Bicknell, died April 13, 2009 in Holladay, Utah, of heart and kidney failure. He was born September 24, 1924 in Rock Springs, Wyoming, a son of Walter E. and Dorthy Jenette “Jet” Hickman Smith. When he was young, his family moved back to Torrey, Utah, where he grew up on his family’s farm. Dad served in the US Army during WWII in the 2nd Armored “Hell on Wheels” Division. He participated in the Normandy invasion and in the fighting that followed. On October 6, 1944, near the German-Belgian border, his tank was hit by cannon fire and his upper right arm was badly injured by shrapnel. He was awarded the Purple Heart. Dad married our Mom, Shirley Taylor, February 25, 1945 in Bicknell. Their marriage was solemnized in the Manti LDS Temple, July 2, 1953. Despite the disability caused by his injury in the war, Dad and Mom, a true partnership, ran a family farm for over thirty years near Bicknell. He was a member of the Board of Directors of Garkane Power Company for over twenty years and served as the board chairman for several years. He also served on the boards of other power organizations. He was active in the LDS Church, serving in a variety of church positions, including Bishop’s Counselor and on the Stake High Council. He was a peaceful man of integrity who loved several things: Mom, his family, his Church, Wayne County, fishing, and the Utah Jazz. Dad is survived by his wife of 64 years, Shirley T. Smith of Bicknell; two sons: Ron and Linda of Sandy; Ted and Camille of Cottonwood Heights; eight grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren (with two more on the way); a brother, Denny Dow and Dee Smith of Portland, Oregon. He was preceded in death by his middle son, Don Taylor Smith. The family expresses special thanks to the staffs of Cottonwood Creek Retirement and IHC Hospice for their loving care for Mom and Dad. Funeral Services will be held Saturday, April 18, 2009 at 1:00 P.M. in the Thurber LDS Ward Chapel in Bicknell, where friends may call for viewing Saturday morning from 11:00 to 12:30 prior to the services. Burial with military honors accorded by the Harold Brown American Legion Post #92 will be in the Bicknell Cemetery under the care of the Springer Turner Funeral Home of Richfield and Salina, Utah.