Alex "Bud" Wilson Smith
COLUMBIA — Alex “Bud” Wilson Smith of Columbia died Friday, Sept. 9, 2011, at Lenoir Woods Health Care. He was 96.
Mr. Smith was born on April 25, 1915, in Boone County to Claude and Margie Pollock Smith. He married Fern Turner on June 20, 1936. Turner died on Sept. 13, 2000.
Mr. Smith took care of his wife until she died.
“He spent several years taking care of his wife. He put in a lot of love and care,” said Lorene Trickey, a long-time member of the First Christian Church. Trickey and her husband met Smith at the church more than 15 years ago.
“He is really a nice person,” Trickey said. “He was a good neighbor at his apartment complex.”
During World War II, Mr. Smith served in the Merchant Marines for two years. He was also a member of Twilight Lodge No. 114 AF & AM, Columbia Chapter No. 17 Ram, St. Graal Commandery and Centralia Council No. 34.
Mr. Smith was a member of the First Christian Church for 81 years and served as an usher and deacon. He was an employee of Sunshine Biscuits, Inc. for 25 years. He retired from the MU Extension after 15 years. He also volunteered at the Wardrobe.
After Mr. Smith’s wife died, he started meeting friends at the Columbia Mall, Trickey said.
“He enjoyed his time at the mall with his friends. They talked about daily things in life,” Trickey said.
Mr. Smith is survived by his sister, Edith Pinet of Huntsville, and nieces and nephews. His parents, one brother and one sister died earlier.
Visitation is from 1 to 2 p.m. Tuesday at First Christian Church, 101 N. Tenth Street. Funeral services will follow. Burial will then be in Memorial Park Cemetery, 1217 Business Loop 70 West.
Memorial contributions may be made to the First Christian Church or the Wardrobe, P.O. Box 145.
Friends may sign the guest book at www.parkerfuneralservice.com.
