Voyle Gilbert Smith

Voyle Gilbert Smith, age 84, passed away on September 18, 2025, in San Antonio, Texas. Gil was born on September 5, 1941, in Knoxville, Tennessee, to parents, Frances B. Snyder and Voyle V. Smith. The family moved to San Antonio several years later.

After graduating from Thomas Jefferson High School in 1959, Gil attended Texas A&M University, becoming the Aggie Band’s bugler in 1961. He graduated from St. Mary’s University in 1964, where he played the trumpet in the orchestra.

He went to work for the Air Force Security Service, but placed that career on hold to enlist in the Army in 1966. After completing Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, he went to Vietnam in 1967 as an Assistant Psychological Operations Officer in the 1st Cavalry Division.

After his tour, he returned to his civil service role with the Air Force. In 1973, he was assigned to the Air Force Special Communication Center in Germany. He lived there for three years, first in Weisbaden and then in Stuttgart.

In July 1975, while on a temporary assignment back home in San Antonio, Gil met the love of his life, Debra. After a whirlwind month of dating, she agreed to return to Germany with him for a week’s vacation. At the end of the week, he proposed marriage. They were married in London on October 31, 1975. After a year of travel and adventures, they returned to San Antonio. Their daughter, Stephanie, was born in January 1978.

When not traveling for work, Gil enjoyed fly fishing, shooting, drinking and collecting wine (preferably European). He was a voracious reader of history as well as adventure and espionage novels. He learned to fabricate barbeque smokers out of repurposed propane tanks, on which he wrote and self-published a short guide book.

He had a heart attack in 1990 but recovered after bypass surgery with stern instructions to quit smoking, which he did. This was later recognized as a consequence of Agent Orange exposure during his service in Vietnam.

He was an active member of the Forest Hills Presbyterian Church community throughout the 80s and 90s, serving as an Elder, member of the property committee and the undisputed master of the barbeque pit for holidays and church gatherings.

A member of University Methodist church since 2003, he joined the Believers’ Sunday school class that quickly became family.

He retired in 1994 after thirty years with the Air Force and continued working as an Air Force contractor with Syracuse Research until 2000. After he retired, he became an avid wine collector. He briefly considered starting a vineyard in the Hill Country, but his health prevented him from pursuing the plan. He was diagnosed with Agent Orange-related Parkinson’s in 2015.

Gil was devoted to family, God, and country. His military service was one of his proudest achievements. He thanked God every day for allowing him to enjoy the blessings of a loving wife and family. His generosity, faithfulness, and fervent convictions will be remembered by all who knew and loved him.

The family extends special thanks to the dedicated and caring nurses in the MSICU at Methodist Hospital. Thanks to Rueben Guerrero who provided respite care that grew into friendship over the past year.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to University Methodist Foundation, the University Methodist Music ministry, or the Parkinson’s Foundation.

A Memorial service will be held on Monday, October 13, 2025, at 10:30 AM at University Methodist Church 5084 De Zavala Rd. San Antonio, Texas 78249.