Wm. Dean Smith Obituary (1926 - 2009)

Wm. Dean Smith Green River - Wm. Dean Smith passed away on Saturday August 22, 2009 in his home with his children at his side after a brief battle with cancer. He was born on May 24, 1926 in Glencoe, Wyoming to Clarence Edward Smith and Gwendolyn Painter Smith. Dean was one of the three children with an older brother Lyle and a younger sister Beverly. He was raised in Kemmerer Wyoming and graduated in 1944 from Kemmerer High School. After graduation, Dean joined the US Air Force and served two consecutive one-year terms including time in Germany, which involved the WWII rebuilding process. After an honorable discharge from the United States Air Force, Dean attended Brigham Young University from 1947 to 1950 majoring in engineering and playing football for the Cougars. In the fall of 1950, he transferred to the University of Utah to complete his engineering degree and graduated as a Chemical Engineer in 1953. After college graduation, Dean accepted an engineering position with FMC of Green River making his one and only lifetime employer for the next 38 years. Dean married Charmaine Fagnant of Kemmerer Wyoming in the Salt Lake LDS temple on June 24, 1952. They went on to have five children of whom they were so proud of and very involved with. Dean’s hobbies included hunting, fishing, bowling, camping, boating, building and woodworking. He is survived by his children Russell Smith and wife Lee, Nanette Lacey and husband Ken, Brad Smith and wife Tammy all of Green River, Jan Studer and husband Wally of Rupert Idaho, and Ross Smith and Tina of Cheyenne; 22 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife Charmaine, his father Clarence Smith, mother Gwen Smith, sister Beverly and brother Lyle. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, August 29, 2009 at the Green River LDS 3rd Ward Chapel, 1000 W 400 N, Green River. Bishop David Young will officiate. Friends and family may call 6-8 p.m. Friday, August 28, 2009 and Saturday 9:30 -10:30 a.m. at the church. Military honors and interment will take place in the Riverview Cemetery, Green River.