Wilburn Ray Smith
6/2/1921 -1/13/2008
Graveside services with military honors for Wilburn Ray Smith, 86, of
Jacksonville, Texas are scheduled for Thursday, 2:00 p.m. at Resthaven
Cemetery with Brother Mitchell McRight speaking. Arrangements are under
the direction of Autry Funeral Home, Jacksonville.
Mr. Smith passed away on January 13, 2008 in Jacksonville, Texas.
He was born June 2, 1921 in Gallatin, Texas. He served honorably in the
U.S. Army’s 743rd Tank Battalion during World War II. He participated in
the landing at Omaha Beach, Normandy on D-Day, June 6, 1944 and
continued on to Belgium where he met his future bride, Yvonne. Soon
there after, he took part in the climactic Battle of the Bulge. After
being wounded by shrapnel, he was finally able to assist his Unit and
all of the Allied forces in victory over Nazi Germany. He received
several medals and commendations including Bronze Stars and a Unit
Citation for Participation in D-Day Actions. He was a loyal husband, a
loving father, and a doting grandfather.
He was preceded in death by his two brothers, E.T. Smith and Nathan
Smith, both of Jacksonville.
Survivors include his wife of 58 years, Yvonne Bertha Godfroid Smith of
Jacksonville; sister Johnnie Campbell of Jacksonville; son Geary Ray and
wife Debbie Smith of Rockport; daughter Vivian Carol Smith of
Jacksonville; three grandchildren Eric and wife Susan Bertram of San
Antonio, Colin and wife Anna Smith of Mountain View, California, and
Cayce Smith of Austin; one great-grandson Steven Ray also of Mountain
View, California; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Honorary Pallbearers are: Donald Campbell, Raymond Folmar, Vaughn Mixon,
Dennis Campbell, Hal Wayne Campbell, Winson Bearden, Mark Smith and
Tommy Smith.
The family will receive friends from 6:00-8:00 p.m., Wednesday, January
16, at Autry Funeral Home.
Information from Autry Funeral Home
Wilburn Ray Smith
Graveside services with military honors for Wilburn Ray Smith, 86, of Jacksonville, Texas are scheduled for 2 p.m. Thursday, January 17, 2008, at Resthaven Cemetery with Brother Mitchell McRight speaking. Arrangements are under the direction of Autry Funeral Home, Jacksonville. Mr. Smith passed away on January 13, 2008, in Jacksonville, Texas. He was born June 2, 1921, in Gallatin, Texas. He served honorably in the U.S. Army’s 743rd Tank Battalion during World War II. He participated in the landing at Omaha Beach, Normandy on D-Day, June 6, 1944, and continued on to Belgium where he met his future bride, Yvonne. Soon thereafter, he took part in the climactic Battle of the Bulge. After being wounded by shrapnel, he was finally able to assist his Unit and all of the Allied forces in victory over Nazi Germany. He received several medals and commendations including Bronze Stars and a Unit Citation for Participation in D-Day Actions. He was a loyal husband, a loving father, and a doting grandfather. He was preceded in death by his two brothers, E.T. Smith and Nathan Smith, both of Jacksonville. Survivors include his wife of 58 years, Yvonne Bertha Godfroid Smith of Jacksonville; sister Johnnie Campbell of Jacksonville; son Geary Ray and wife Debbie Smith of Rockport; daughter Vivian Carol Smith of Jacksonville; three grandchildren Eric and wife Susan Bertram of San Antonio, Colin and wife Anna Smith of Mountain View, California, and Cayce Smith of Austin; one great-grandson Steven Ray also of Mountain View, California; and numerous nieces and nephews. Honorary pallbearers are Donald Campbell, Ramond Folmar, Vaughn Mixon, Dennis Campbell, Hal Wayne Campbell, and Winson Bearden.T he family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, January 16, at Autry Funeral Home. Published in the Jacksonville Daily Progress on 1/17/2008.