William C. Smellage

William Calvin Smellage, born April 12, 1921 in Waxahachie, Texas, passed away August 17, 2011. Preceded in death by his mother Stella Marie Smellage and father Robert Hickman Smellage; brother Robert Hickman Smellage II, sister Stella Marjorie, and his son William David Smellage. Survived by his loving wife of 69 years Virginia Nesbit Smellage and sons Stephen Lee and Douglas Calvin and his wife Ann Shepard Smellage; grandchildren are Calvin Lee Smellage and his wife Jenna Oestrick Smellage, Pauline Jeanne Smellage, and Linda Cathryn Smellage. A good son, husband, father and grandfather, he was loved by many and will be missed by all. As a boy, Bill was an Eagle Scout and was interested in sports, lettering each year at Waxahachie High School in football, basketball, and track. In 1938 he entered Rice University on a football athletic scholarship. In 1942 he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree and entered the United States Navy and in 1943 was commissioned an Ensign and was designated a Naval Aviator. From 1943 until October 1945 he was an active pilot, serving in the South American Theater, and was a member of the first Naval Squadron to return to the Philippines. During this time he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and two air medals for combat duty missions. At the time of separation he was a Lieutenant in the United States Naval Reserve. In 1945 he accepted a position with the United States Treasury Department as an Internal Revenue Agent and at the same time enrolled in Southern Methodist University School of Law. January 1950 he received a Juris Doctor Degree from Southern Methodist University. He was a member of the Texas Bar until his retirement. In 1955 he became a certified public accountant and was a member of the Dallas Chapter of the Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. In 1954 he accepted the position of controller of A.H. Belo Corporation, The Dallas Morning News WFAA TV and Radio. He was elected to the A.H. Belo Board of Directors in 1961 and was Senior Vice President in 1976 until his retirement in 1980. He was past President of: The International News Paper Financial Executives, The Exchange Club of Dallas, (USO Dallas Council), Community Services Dallas Fort Worth Regional Airport. He was on the boards of Texas Daily Newspaper Association, Dallas chapter of the American Red Cross, Press Club of Dallas, Engineers Club of Dallas, Dallas Theater Center, Dallas Legal Aid Society and Dallas Policemen’s and Firemen’s Welfare Fund. He was a thirty-second degree Mason and Knights Templar Mason. In 1976 he was admitted to the Waxahachie High School Hall of Fame. In 1943 joined Highland Park United Methodist Church and remains a member today. A memorial service will be Monday, August 22, 2011 at 4:00 p.m. at Sparkman/Hillcrest Northwest Hwy. Chapel, Rev. Thomas Q. Robbins, officiating. Family will receive friends at Sparkman/Hillcrest on Sunday, August 21, 2011 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made to: The Gladney Center for Adoption, Ft. Worth, Texas, Presbyterian Healthcare Foundation, Faith Presbyterian Hospice. Thanks for a great partnership Dad.