Clarence Weldon Smith

Clarence Weldon Smith grandson of William Oscar Smith, Florence Matilda and son of William Otis Smith and Elva Loree passed away today at the age of 85. Born and raised near Schley, Texas. Clarence spent his boyhood days farming and ranching in central Texas. Clarence’s early claim to fame was taking 1st prize at the Houston Fat Stock Show in 1948 along with his older brother Choice. A story that has taken on a legend all its own over years in the Smith family history. Clarence was not only a proud Texan but a proud American and volunteered for the United States Air Force in 1952 traveling the world with many stops including Germany, French Morocco. During that time, he managed to steal the heart of his future wife Ila Marie Cox and were wed in June of 1955 and were married for over 61 years. The couple moved from Waco and raised their 4 boys in Garland, Texas. Clarence and Marie worked their entire lives at Texas Instruments and were exemplary employees with numerous awards and raises. Clarence was a lifelong member of the Baptist denomination and served as a deacon, Sunday school teacher and even more importantly spent most of his retirement years on the road traveling the United States in remote areas working as a volunteer for Volunteer Christian Builders. The VCB mission is to build and minister to impoverished churches. Many of their jobs included building brand new churches from the ground up. Both Clarence and Marie were very proud of the work they did serving their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Clarence loved sports of all kinds and was a lifelong Dallas Cowboy and Texas Rangers fan. Sunday afternoons in the Smith house was always roast, gravy and potatoes along with very loud cheering and yelling. Clarence was very active and volunteered as a coach for baseball, football and basketball of which many of his teams won numerous championships. Clarence was known for his upbeat positive attitude an attribute that helped him survive 4 plus years of stage 4 cancer, a competitive spirit, sense of adventure and a belly laugh that would rock the house. Clarence is survived by his wife Ila Marie Smith, sons Phillip A. Smith and wife Gaylynne of Garland, Laurence G. Smith and wife Kathy of Flower Mound, Texas, Rodney D. Smith and wife Cindy of Corinth, Texas and Brian D. Smith of Wylie, Texas, Grandchildren Ashley Smith, Jessica Smith, Trey Nickell, Kristen Smith, Jake Smith and Josh Smith, Chad Ryan, Mallory Ryan. Great Grandchildren Christian Barrett, Carter Barret, Brooklyn Ryan,Tyler Nickell, Jason Nickell, Savanah Nickell, Scarlett Nickell