Roy Truman SMITH

Roy Truman “Bud” Smith Born October 31, 1919, he died peacefully on April 16, 2014 at the age of 94. He was the eldest son of William Clarence and Margaret Rose (Frey) Smith, and brother of Robert William Smith (deceased), Shirley Elizabeth (Smith) Davis of Milton, Florida, and John E. “Jack” Smith (deceased). He was “Uncle Bud” to 10 nieces and nephews; Linda L. (Davis) Maguire, John M. “Jack” Davis (deceased) Saundra K. “Sandy” (Smith) Wirtz, William Peter “Pete” Davis of Milton, Florida, Susan A. (Smith) Chevrette and husband Jim , Susan A. (Davis) Allred of Milton, Florida, Jan C. (Smith) Niebert (deceased) and Diana L. Smith (deceased), also Robert “Bobby” and Richard “Ricky” Smith of Florida, and 5 great nephews. Bud proudly served in the United States Army Air Force, (Eighth Air Force) in World War II from February 14, 1942 until October 12, 1945 in the Air Offensive Europe Theatre to include Normandy, Northern Europe, Rhineland, Ardennes and Central Europe. He was awarded 6 Bronze Stars, a Good Conduct medal and a Distinguished Unit Badge. He often spoke of his time in the service and enjoyed the travel abroad. He took full advantage of his tour in Europe and spent time after the Armistice visiting the countryside and seeing the local sites. Bud was a successful business man and was co owner of R&J Sign Company with his partner Jack Carroll. R&J was started in 1959 and is still in business today. He was an avid bowler and former partner in a bowling alley in Bellefontaine Neighbors with Dick Weber and other friends. Although never married, with no children of his own, Bud was the epitome of a Family Man. He was the proverbial Patriarch of his family, always living with his parents, and caring for them in their later years. Forever the “Big Brother” to his siblings he was also very involved in the lives of his nieces and nephews. He spoke fondly of all of his family, and enjoyed recounting stories about them growing up. He loved the outdoors and enjoyed fishing and boating. The highlight of his life was building his cabin on Indian Hills Lake in Cuba, Missouri. That house became a meeting place for a host of young people, friends of his nieces and nephews, to whom he became forever “Uncle Bud”, and a place for reunions, bringing family together from across the country. A Memorial Service with Military Honors will be held at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery on Tuesday, May 27, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. If planning to attend, please arrive at Jefferson Barracks at 2900 Sheridan Road, St. Louis, MO 63125 by 10:30 as we will assemble at 10:45 to drive to the memorial site. Please park at the Main Building at the entrance of the cemetery. A luncheon to celebrate his life will be provided by his family following the service at Bartolino’s Restaurant in the private dining room. Bartolino's is located at 5914 S. Lindbergh. Directions to the restaurant will be available at the service. Family and Friends who wish to honor Bud’s memory can make a contribution to the following organizations. Please indicate on your check the contribution is in honor of Roy T. Smith The United Service Organization (USO) Lambert St. Louis International Airport P.O. Box 10367 St. Louis, MO 63145-0367 VFW Post 3944 Cmdr. Charles Turner 10815 Midland Blvd. Overland, MO 63114 For information, please contact Sandy Wirtz, 636-265-1433 or via e-mail at Sandywirtz@yahoo.com

Roy Truman SMITH

October 31, 1919 - April 16, 2014