Kenneth Ray Smith, 92, of Washington, passed away Friday at Daviess Community Hospital. He was born Feb. 10, 1924, to Barbee and Opha Browning Smith in Washington.
Kenneth volunteered for the army with the advent of World War II. He was a 75mm howitzer sergeant attached to 681 glider field artillery division of the 82nd Airborne, and was sent behind the front lines in Sicily, Normandy and Holland. He served also in North Africa, Italy, France, Bulgaria and Germany. He earned six EAME theater ribbons with six bronze stars and one bronze arrowhead.
After returning home from the war he married Dorothy Ann Stafford from Veale Township and raised four sons, Steven C. (Jane), Kenneth Wayne (Anne), Kim Ryan (Becky) and Mark Stafford Smith (Kelly).
Kenneth had five brothers, four who have preceded him in death, Ned, Dwight, Russell and Kyle (Pig); and one sister, Ruth V. Small. His first wife, Dorothy, passed away in 1965 at the age of 39. One brother, John Smith is still living and resides in Indianapolis. Kenneth and his five brothers were all presented with the Sagamore of the Wabash award.
He will be greatly missed by his four sons, 12 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.
Kenny enjoyed watching IU and Hatchet basketball, bowling, golf and playing cards with family and friends. He loved attending the Smith family reunion each year at McCormick’s Creek State Park.
He attended First Baptist Church of Washington for many years and most recently attended Pleasant Hill UMC.
A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday at Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church.
Visitation and fellowship from 10 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. and the Celebration of Life will begin at 10:45 a.m.
Kenneth’s ashes will be laid to rest in Bethel Cemetery where there will be military graveside honors by the American Legion and the V.F.W.
Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to V.F.W. Post Honor Guard.