SMITH, Willard Ernest 1928-1972

SMITH, RILEY, LEE, KIECKHEFER, MECK

Posted By: Betty Hootman (email)
Date: 12/6/2011 at 10:01:22

Fairfield Daily Ledger
June 5, 1972

Fairfield man critical after surgery

FAIRFIELD -- Willard SMITH. 43, of 1206 S. Main, underwent brain surgery Sunday afternoon following a construction accident earlier in the day.

He was listed today in critical condition at University Hospitals in Iowa City.

Authorities said SMITH and a companion were installing new siding on the Why Not Tavern on North Fourth Street about 11 a.m. when SMITH lost his footing and fell backward about six feet, striking his head on the curbing.

He was taken to Jefferson County Hospital before being transferred to Iowa City.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Fairfield Daily Ledger
12 June 1972

Services Wednesday----

Injuries Fatal To SMITH

Willard E. SMITH, 44, Fairfield rural mail carrier, died at 2:35 p.m. Saturday at the University Hospital in Iowa City from injuries he suffered in a fall just a week ago.

He fell from a ladder Sunday morning, June 4, while working on the front of a building in the New Chicago area, striking his head on the sidewalk. He was rushed to Iowa City by ambulance where he underwent surgery, but he failed to recover.

Last rites will be Wednesday at 2:30 at the United Methodist Church with the Rev. Wilson Hyde in charge. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery with military rites at the grave.

Friends may call at Raymond Funeral Home after 7 p.m. this evening.

Willard E. SMITH was born Jan. 6, 1928, in Abingdon. He was the son of Harry A. and Vera F. RILEY SMITH, and was reared and educated in Abingdon. He graduated from the Fairfield High School with the class of 1945.

He was united in marriage July 5, 1954, in Fairfield to Inez A. LEE who survives.

SMITH was a rural postal employee, he was a union steward for the Rural Letter Carriers Association and a member of the National Rural Letter Carriers Association.

He was a past president of the Fairfield Chamber of Commerce, a member of the United Methodist Church, American Legion of which he was a past commander, charter member of the Fairfield Police Posse, vice president of the Fairfield Little League and served in the U.S. Navy from May 31, 1945 to Jan. 16, 1948.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by four children: Mrs. Robert KIECKHEFER, Fairfield; Gail and Laurel, both at home; and Blake, also at home.

Other survivors include his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Harry A. SMITH, Fairfield; two brothers, Duane, Fairfield and Ellis of Yap, Western Caroline Islands; two sisters, Mrs. Don MECK, Libertyville, and Rhonda SMITH, Fairfield.

The family Home is at 1205 S. Main.

Buried Evergreen Cemetery, 5th.083

Transcribed for genealogy purposes, Willard was my brother.