Master Sgt. Wilbur Smith

Master Sgt. Wilbur Smith, U. S. Army Ret., age 90, of Temple died Thursday, March 6, 2008 in a local hospital. Military graveside services will be held at 11:00 AM Monday, March 10, at Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery with Dr. Randall O'Brien officiating. Mr. Smith was born November 3, 1917 in Casey County, Kentucky to James H. and Lucinda (Taylor) Smith. He graduated from Liberty High School where he played basketball. He worked with the Civilian Conservation Corps. He married Josephine Wright on April 14, 1942 in Louisville, Kentucky. He joined the U. S. Army on November 26, 1940 and retired as a Master Sergeant on January 30, 1972. He had been a longtime resident of Radcliff, Kentucky and had lived in Temple for the past eight months. Survivors include his wife, Josephine W. Smith of Temple, one daughter, Debra Smith Barnes and her husband, Dr. Ted Barnes, Dean of Fine Arts at UMHB and one son, Kevin Wilbur Smith and his wife, Gwen Elizabeth Smith of Houston, four grandchildren, Whitney Smith Barnes, Tyler Smith Barnes, Daphne Claire Smith and Emory Jackson Smith. Also surviving is one sister, Modine S. Long of Louisville, Kentucky. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society.