George Robert Smith

George was born in Scott County, Illinois to Josiah Taylor Smith and Anna Allyene McGuffin Smith on September 3, 1929. He was an only child and was raised in the farming community in and around Bluffs, Illinois. As a young boy, he spent time helping his father work the family farm and raise fox and coon hounds, enjoyed fishing, hunting, and helping his mother tend to her large garden. He was also a great fan of playing, managing, and watching baseball. He was an avid Cubs fan and followed the team since 1941.

Following his graduation from Bluffs High School, George attended Western Illinois University and graduated in 1951 with a Bachelor’s Degree. During his final semester of college, George received a draft notice and signed up for the Air Force. After basic training he attended Officer Candidate School (OCS) in San Antonio, Texas, and in 1952 was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant. During an assignment to Warner Robins AFB in Georgia, he met the love of his life, Joyce Daniels and they married on December 5, 1953. Shortly following the marriage ceremony George was shipped overseas to Wiesbaden, Germany where Joyce soon joined him. Over the course of their marriage, they moved eight times together including assignments in West Virginia; Eileson AFB Fairbanks, Alaska; Andrews AFB, Washington, D.C.; and Grissom AFB, Indiana.

George’s Air Force career spanned 22 years and he achieved the rank of Lt. Colonel. He served in a variety of positions during his career including Administrative/Staff Services, Personnel, and Squadron Commander. He was especially proud of his duty in the Sam Fox Wing, Special Air Missions, Military Airlift Command from 1963 – 1968 where he served in support of Air Force One at Andrews AFB. During this assignment he also served a tour during the Vietnam War with the 56th Special Operations Wing, based at Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai AFB (NKP) in Thailand from 1967-1968.

Following his retirement from the USAF in 1973, George worked 18 years for the State of Indiana in Fort Wayne until his second retirement in March of 1991. George and Joyce then moved to Perry, Georgia so they could be near Joyce’s relatives, particularly her beloved sister Loyce. He was active as a volunteer at the Warner Robins Museum of Aviation and at their church in both Perry and Fort Wayne. In 2015, George and Joyce relocated to the Chamberlin at Fort Monroe, VA, and attended the Phoebus United Methodist Church. In 2025, George moved into assisted living at Harper’s Station Yorktown. There he met numerous veterans and made good friends, especially with the kind and caring staff.

Over the course of his 96 years of life, George was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather to his family. His wife Joyce of 62 years preceded him in death in 2016. He is survived by three children, Cheryl (Mark) Chafee of Gordonsville, Virgina; Valerie (Andre) Van Bergeijk of Fishers, Indiana; and Stephen (Ann) Smith of Yorktown, Virginia. George leaves his cherished 9 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren.

A graveside service and burial will be held at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to St. Jude Children’s Hospital and Tunnel To Towers Foundation.