Welby Smith, age 92, of Lubbock, Texas, passed away on March 15, 2023.
A graveside service will be held on March 27 at 2:30 pm at Greenwood Memorial Park Cemetery: 3100 White Settlement Rd, Fort Worth, TX 76107.
A memorial service will be held on March 30 at 1:00pm at Indiana Baptist Church: 9507 Indiana Ave, Lubbock, TX 79423.
Born in Oklahoma on November 18, 1930, he was the son of Harry and Leola Smith.
Welby lived a life of service to God and country. He joined the US Air Force at age 17 in 1947. He spent three years in England as an air policeman where he met his first wife, Clarice. Together they had four children and lived throughout the United States. He continued his career in mission critical aircraft maintenance, and settled in Fort Worth at Carswell where he was the crew chief on the Convair B-58 Hustler. It was the first operational supersonic jet bomber capable of mach 2 flight. Welby eventually retired as a Master Sergeant after 21 years in 1968.
Welby married LaJuana in 1990 in Lubbock, Texas where he would quickly establish deep friendships with many in town. Welby was a friend to all, an entertaining story teller, and a joyful joker. He loved Jesus, his family, old westerns, and the Dallas Cowboys. He enjoyed fishing at the Texas coast for over 40 years, serving the Church, hosting gatherings in his home, and laughing with his loved ones. Welby could often be found cooking in the kitchen, on a boat catching fish, or in his favorite chair. He was passionate about caring for Veterans. He believed they had a story to tell, and he wanted to listen. In his final year, when asked how he spends his days, he replied, "reading my Bible." Welby was eager to meet his Savior face to face.
Welby was preceded in death by an infant sister Loretta, his parents, daughter-in-law Debbie Smith, and wife Clarice Smith, to whom he was married for 40 years. He was also preceded in death by his siblings Donald Ray Smith (Joyce), brother LD Smith, and sister Brenda England.
He is survived by his wife of nearly 33 years, LaJuana Smith and their children: Beverley Clarke (Howard), Donna Matney (Tom), Cheryl Gower, Wade Smith, Sharon Lokey (John), Randy Meador (Becky), and Patti Nicholas. He is also survived by brother-in-law Raymond England, sister-in-law Jane Smith, and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren whom he cherished.
A graveside service will be held on March 27 at 2:30 pm at Greenwood Memorial Park Cemetery: 3100 White Settlement Rd, Fort Worth, TX 76107.
A memorial service will be held on March 30 at 1:00pm at Indiana Baptist Church: 9507 Indiana Ave, Lubbock, TX 79423.
Born in Oklahoma on November 18, 1930, he was the son of Harry and Leola Smith.
Welby lived a life of service to God and country. He joined the US Air Force at age 17 in 1947. He spent three years in England as an air policeman where he met his first wife, Clarice. Together they had four children and lived throughout the United States. He continued his career in mission critical aircraft maintenance, and settled in Fort Worth at Carswell where he was the crew chief on the Convair B-58 Hustler. It was the first operational supersonic jet bomber capable of mach 2 flight. Welby eventually retired as a Master Sergeant after 21 years in 1968.
Welby married LaJuana in 1990 in Lubbock, Texas where he would quickly establish deep friendships with many in town. Welby was a friend to all, an entertaining story teller, and a joyful joker. He loved Jesus, his family, old westerns, and the Dallas Cowboys. He enjoyed fishing at the Texas coast for over 40 years, serving the Church, hosting gatherings in his home, and laughing with his loved ones. Welby could often be found cooking in the kitchen, on a boat catching fish, or in his favorite chair. He was passionate about caring for Veterans. He believed they had a story to tell, and he wanted to listen. In his final year, when asked how he spends his days, he replied, "reading my Bible." Welby was eager to meet his Savior face to face.
Welby was preceded in death by an infant sister Loretta, his parents, daughter-in-law Debbie Smith, and wife Clarice Smith, to whom he was married for 40 years. He was also preceded in death by his siblings Donald Ray Smith (Joyce), brother LD Smith, and sister Brenda England.
He is survived by his wife of nearly 33 years, LaJuana Smith and their children: Beverley Clarke (Howard), Donna Matney (Tom), Cheryl Gower, Wade Smith, Sharon Lokey (John), Randy Meador (Becky), and Patti Nicholas. He is also survived by brother-in-law Raymond England, sister-in-law Jane Smith, and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren whom he cherished.
Welby Smith, age 92, of Lubbock, Texas, passed away on March 15, 2023.
A graveside service will be held on March 27 at 2:30 pm at Greenwood Memorial Park Cemetery: 3100 White Settlement Rd, Fort Worth, TX 76107.
A memorial service will be held on March 30 at 1:00pm at Indiana Baptist Church: 9507 Indiana Ave, Lubbock, TX 79423.
Born in Oklahoma on November 18, 1930, he was the son of Harry and Leola Smith.
Welby lived a life of service to God and country. He joined the US Air Force at age 17 in 1947. He spent three years in England as an air policeman where he met his first wife, Clarice. Together they had four children and lived throughout the United States. He continued his career in mission critical aircraft maintenance, and settled in Fort Worth at Carswell where he was the crew chief on the Convair B-58 Hustler. It was the first operational supersonic jet bomber capable of mach 2 flight. Welby eventually retired as a Master Sergeant after 21 years in 1968.
Welby married LaJuana in 1990 in Lubbock, Texas where he would quickly establish deep friendships with many in town. Welby was a friend to all, an entertaining story teller, and a joyful joker. He loved Jesus, his family, old westerns, and the Dallas Cowboys. He enjoyed fishing at the Texas coast for over 40 years, serving the Church, hosting gatherings in his home, and laughing with his loved ones. Welby could often be found cooking in the kitchen, on a boat catching fish, or in his favorite chair. He was passionate about caring for Veterans. He believed they had a story to tell, and he wanted to listen. In his final year, when asked how he spends his days, he replied, "reading my Bible." Welby was eager to meet his Savior face to face.
Welby was preceded in death by an infant sister Loretta, his parents, daughter-in-law Debbie Smith, and wife Clarice Smith, to whom he was married for 40 years. He was also preceded in death by his siblings Donald Ray Smith (Joyce), brother LD Smith, and sister Brenda England.
He is survived by his wife of nearly 33 years, LaJuana Smith and their children: Beverley Clarke (Howard), Donna Matney (Tom), Cheryl Gower, Wade Smith, Sharon Lokey (John), Randy Meador (Becky), and Patti Nicholas. He is also survived by brother-in-law Raymond England, sister-in-law Jane Smith, and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren whom he cherished.
A graveside service will be held on March 27 at 2:30 pm at Greenwood Memorial Park Cemetery: 3100 White Settlement Rd, Fort Worth, TX 76107.
A memorial service will be held on March 30 at 1:00pm at Indiana Baptist Church: 9507 Indiana Ave, Lubbock, TX 79423.
Born in Oklahoma on November 18, 1930, he was the son of Harry and Leola Smith.
Welby lived a life of service to God and country. He joined the US Air Force at age 17 in 1947. He spent three years in England as an air policeman where he met his first wife, Clarice. Together they had four children and lived throughout the United States. He continued his career in mission critical aircraft maintenance, and settled in Fort Worth at Carswell where he was the crew chief on the Convair B-58 Hustler. It was the first operational supersonic jet bomber capable of mach 2 flight. Welby eventually retired as a Master Sergeant after 21 years in 1968.
Welby married LaJuana in 1990 in Lubbock, Texas where he would quickly establish deep friendships with many in town. Welby was a friend to all, an entertaining story teller, and a joyful joker. He loved Jesus, his family, old westerns, and the Dallas Cowboys. He enjoyed fishing at the Texas coast for over 40 years, serving the Church, hosting gatherings in his home, and laughing with his loved ones. Welby could often be found cooking in the kitchen, on a boat catching fish, or in his favorite chair. He was passionate about caring for Veterans. He believed they had a story to tell, and he wanted to listen. In his final year, when asked how he spends his days, he replied, "reading my Bible." Welby was eager to meet his Savior face to face.
Welby was preceded in death by an infant sister Loretta, his parents, daughter-in-law Debbie Smith, and wife Clarice Smith, to whom he was married for 40 years. He was also preceded in death by his siblings Donald Ray Smith (Joyce), brother LD Smith, and sister Brenda England.
He is survived by his wife of nearly 33 years, LaJuana Smith and their children: Beverley Clarke (Howard), Donna Matney (Tom), Cheryl Gower, Wade Smith, Sharon Lokey (John), Randy Meador (Becky), and Patti Nicholas. He is also survived by brother-in-law Raymond England, sister-in-law Jane Smith, and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren whom he cherished.
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