RAY SMITH

Services for Ray Smith, 84, of Kilgore will be 2 p.m. Saturday, July 25, 2009, at the Chapel of Rader Funeral Home in Kilgore with Rev. James Henderson officiating. Interment will follow at Kilgore City Cemetery.

Mr. Smith died Wednesday, July 22, in Longview.

Ray Smith was born March 9, 1925, in Decatur, Arkansas, to the late Martin and Bess Redlinger Smith. Mr. Smith attended schools in Decatur until the outbreak of WWII. He enlisted in the Army on July 6, 1943, serving with the DCompany of the 175th Regiment, 29th Infantry Division. This division made the historic D-Day Invasion landing at Utah Beach in France. Mr. Smith was wounded twice: gunshot in Rheims, France; and ear drums were burst in Aachen, Germany. He was awarded the Purple Heart for his injuries and several other medals commending his outstanding service.

On December 23, 1945, Ray and Geneva Graves were married. The couple was married for 63 years, 6 months and 22 days. Domestically, Mr. Smith worked for East Texas Saltwater and retired after 45 years of service. Ray was a member of the American Legion, Kilgore Post 280. In his spare time, Ray enjoyed traveling, fishing and gardening. Ray was a member of Eastview Baptist Church in Kilgore.

Survivors include his wife, Geneva Graves Smith; sister and brother in law, Octavia and Carle Payne; brothers, Bill Smith of Oakdale, Calif., and Arthur Smith and wife Irene of Lakeland, Fla. Other survivors include numerous nephews, nieces and great nieces and nephews and great great nieces and nephews.

Ray's parents and brothers, Howard, Frank, Ned and Lee Smith, all precede him in death.

The family will receive friends 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, July 24, 2009, at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Make A Wish Foundation, 215 Winchester, Suite 109, Tyler, Texas 75701 or donations online at www.wish.org. under "Ways to Help".