Cecil Ray Smith

Cecil was born on January 9, 1927, in Denison, Texas the son of Clyde and Lorene Smith. He married Billie Juanita Gray on June 25, 1948 in Denison, Texas. He was a member of Parkside Baptist He also served as chairman of the Building Committee and overseer of the current Parkside Baptist Church in Denison.

Cecil worked for Johns-Manville from 1957 – 1982 where he worked as foreman of the Finishing Department and then as Director of Safety. After retiring from Johns-Manville, Cecil entered the home construction business. It was called Cecil Smith Construction Company. He used a method of home building in which he took trade-ins. He helped many people move from one house to a new one. Thereafter, he and his son, Larry Smith, entered the commercial property business for which the family still has holdings. This company is called Smith Properties.

He served his country proudly in the Navy during World War II.

Cecil was a wonderful grandfather, father, and friend. He devoted his life to his God. He and his wife, Billie Smith, went on man mission trips in which they helped build or expand church buildings.

He is survived by son Larry Smith and wife Adriana of Denison, Texas; daughter Susan Smith of Colorado Springs, Colorado; brother-in-law Fritz Lorentzen of Wisconsin; sister-in-law DorothyTonkinson of Denison; nephews Mike Hughes of Denison; Chris Lorentzen of Wisconsin; Mark Lorentzen of Wisconsin; father of grandsons Dan Ratliff; grandchildren Stacey Smith Chase and husband Nick Chase of Arlington, Texas; Zac Ratliff of San Diego, California; and Sam Ratliff of Colorado Springs, Colorado.

He is preceded in death by his parents Clyde and Lorene Smith; wife Billie Gray Smith; sister-in-law Jimmie Lorentzen; brother-in-law Don Tonkinson; and nephew David Tonkinson.

Cecil devoted his life to his family, to his friends, and to God. He developed many lifetime friendships with members of his church. He believed in loyalty, honesty and honor. He was loyal to his wife of 65 years and honor to his character – the type that lives a moral life.

Family visitation will be 6:00 – 8:00 PM, Monday, November 18, 2013 at Bratcher Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be 2:00 PM, Tuesday, November 19, 2013 at Parkside Baptist Church in Denison, Texas with burial to follow at Cedarlawn Memorial Park in Sherman, Texas.