Earl Smith

Earl F. Smith, 95, of Belton lost his battle with Dementia/Alzheimer’s and passed away on April 16th, 2024.

He will be interred at Central Texas Veterans Cemetery with military honors followed by a Masonic burial service at 11am on Friday, May 10th, 2024.

He was born in Copperas Cove, Texas to Virgel and Myrtis (Townsend) Smith on August 1, 1928.

He married Joyce “Marlene” Priest on January 21, 1954, in Florence Texas. They had 2 children.  He entered the Army Air Corps in 1944 and served 20 plus years serving in World War II, Korean War as well as during the Vietnam War. He retired from the Air Force in 1966 and worked at the Kennedy Space Center throughout the Apollo and Skylab Programs.

He then found his way back home where he settled in Belton and went to work for Civil service at Ft Hood. He was a member of Mr. Hiram Masonic Lodge 595 in Copperas Cove for 65 years, Scottish Rite for 50 years and Order of the Eastern Star for 45 years.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Marlene, 2 brothers Billy Joe, and Jimmy Ray Smith and 1 sister Maudine Pate.

He is survived by his son Earl Smith Jr. (wife Judy) of Little River-Academy and daughter Felita Wheeler (husband John) of Belton.  One brother Virgel (Casey) Smith of Belton, Two sisters Robbie Langford of Burnet, and Vickie Kieltyka of Gatesville.  Also, three grandchildren, Bonnie Smith of Honolulu Hawaii, Byron Wheeler (wife Kristen) of Castle Rock, Colorado, and Bradley Wheeler of Parker Colorado, Great-Grandchildren, Abby and Josh Wheeler of Colorado, along with numerous nieces and nephews.