Roy "Don" Smith
Send Condolences to the Smith Family
Roy “Don” Smith, 83, of Walnut Street, West Milford, passed away Wednesday morning, May 17, 2006, under the care of Tender Loving Care Hospice at his home after a brief illness. He was born in Clarksburg on April 16, 1923, a son of the late Ralph D. and Ola J. (Darnel) Smith. His parents relocated to Nutter Fort, where he was raised and which he considered his hometown.
On April 6, 1946, he was united in marriage to Elizabeth “Libby” Lynch, with whom he celebrated 60 years of marriage on April 6, 2006.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Robert “Bob” and Karen Smith, Riverdale Road, Clarksburg; a grandson, R. Douglas Smith and his wife, Sheri, Morgantown; a granddaughter, Dawnetta Thompson and her companion, Jimmy Brown, Salem; a great-grandson, Troy Thompson; a sister, Carol Ann Campbell, West Milford; and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Amy Florence Phares.
Don attended R-W High School thru the 10th grade. He entered the Army Air Corps on January 23, 1943, and served in the China, Burma, and India Theatres during WWII, where he supervised various construction projects. He returned home in November 1945 as a Staff Sergeant, receiving the Good Conduct Medal; American Theatre Service Ribbon; Asiatic Pacific Service Ribbon; WW II Victory Ribbon; and the Distinguished Unit Badge.
Don was a master electrician at Union Carbide Corp., retiring on January 19, 1983. He was an avid wood craftsman, and loved to go fishing, hunting, traveling to Myrtle Beach and the WV mountains. He became Mayor of West Milford in 1992, holding the office until his death. He spent his retirement years working on a new Municipal Building and Community Center, donating his time to benefit the town. He was a 14th Degree Mason, Blue Lodge 155, Clarksburg; a life member of VFW Post 583, Clarksburg; the Union Carbide Corp Retirees and the West Milford/Good Hope Senior Satellite.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Roy D. Smith Memorial Fund at the Harrison County Bank, PO Box 98, Lost Creek, WV 26385. These funds will be donated to local charities of the family’s choice.
At Don’s request, he will be cremated. Family and friends will gather at a later date to celebrate Don’s life.
Burnside Funeral Home, 607 S. Virginia Avenue, Bridgeport, is entrusted with the arrangements.