WILLIAM H. SMITH

William Henry Smith, 82, of Columbia City, IN, passed away at 2:10 a.m. Sunday, November 11, 2012 at Parkview Whitley Hospital, Columbia City. Born December 5, 1929 in Wolf Lake, IN, he was the son of Mickey A. and Ruie Malington (Hile) Smith.

He graduated from Wolf Lake High School with the Class of 1949. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Air Force and was honorably discharged in October, 1954. On April 12,1974, he married Nancy (Mettler) Wagner at Reverend Graham Kleespie's home in Columbia City. A lifetime resident of Wolf Lake and Columbia City areas, he and his wife lived at their present home since 1979. A former employee of Pennsylvania Railroad, he also worked for Dana Weatherhead, Columbia City, for 16 years. In 1990, he retired from the U.S. Postal Service, Columbia City, with 27 years of service where he worked as a rural route carrier, clerk, and the janitor service department.

His memberships included Wolf Lake VFW Post #4717; Shriners of Fort Wayne; 30 year member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles Post #1906; American Legion Post #98; 34 year member of the Masons Lodge of Fort Wayne; Scottish Rite of Fort Wayne; and Due Guard Lodge #278, Larwill.

He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Nancy Smith of Columbia City; children, Vicky (Mike) Tallent of Maryville, TN; Tammy (Steve) Parkison of Crown Point; Debbie (Jeff) Zickafoose of Albion; Dave (Kate) Lotter of Churubusco; DeLaina (Mike DeMuyt) Cole of Kendallville; Tonya "Tony" (Bob) McKay of Syracuse; Doug Smith of Columbia City; Holly Brooks of Lavernia, TX; and Mickey Smith of Chicago, IL; daughter-in-law, Vicki Wagner of Albion; sister-in-law, Louise Smith of Fort Wayne; brother and sister-in-law, Tom (Cindy) Mettler of Columbia City; 17 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Tim Wagner, first wife, Kathleen (Rider) Lotter Smith, 4 grandchildren, Clinton Collier, Jonathon Zickafoose, Melissa and Christopher Parkison, brothers, Harry, Charlie and Tom Smith, sisters, Lodema Thompson, Jennie Capps and Annie Anderson.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, November 14, 2012 from 3-7 p.m. at DeMoney-Grimes Countryside Park Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City. Funeral service will be heldThursday, November 15, 2012 at 1:30 p.m. at the funeral home with Sharon Brockhaus, Certified Funeral Celebrant, officiating. Graveside military honors will be presented by the Whitley County Korean War Veteran's Honor Guard with burial at Thorn Cemetery, Ormas. Memorial gifts may be given in Mr. Smith's memory to Wolf Lake VFW Post #4717 or Shriner's Children Hospital. Please visit www.demoneygrimes.com to leave a family condolence or sign the online guest register.