Welton Jessie Smith

Welton Jessie Smith was born September 25, 1929 and passed from this life to his eternal home on September 4, 2014. He was 84 years old. Welton was born in Grandview, Texas to Jessie "Doodle" Smith and Nora Kettler Smith. He died peacefully in his home in Wortham, Texas with his wife of 24 years at his side. Welton was a long time resident of Princeton, Texas, where he ran an automotive repair shop and wrecker service. He could be seen all over town in his old yellow wrecker, with his dog Vivian by his side. Welton enlisted in the air force in 1948 and was honorably discharged in 1950. He was in the 49th Bomber division. He was also a medic while in the service and learned to work on automobiles. After leaving the service, he started working for a car dealership, repairing transmission. He taught transmission repair at a college in Ardmore, Oklahoma for a short time. He started his transmission business in Princeton in the 1970's, until his retirement a few short years ago.
Welton is survived by his wife, Betty; Sons: Gary Smith, Lee Smith, Tommy Smith, Dwayne Ray, Wendoll Smith; Daughter: Deneen Gray; Stepson: Michael Roberts; Stepdaughter: Tammy Tucker and Granddaughter Kylie, who he raised as a young child; Brothers: Marvin, Melvin, Louis, Bill and Gordon Smith, along with Sisters: Robbie Wilson and Minnie Phacker. He is also survived by 25 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.
Welton was preceded in death by his parents, Jessie and Nora Smith, a daughter, Sandra; Brothers: Lester and Marshall, Sister: Geneva and step-daughter, Angie.
Visitation will be Monday, September 8, 2014 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home in Princeton, Texas. Funeral Services will be Tuesday, September 9, 2014 at 1:00 p.m. at Charles W. Smith & Sons Funeral Home, 660 E. Hwy. 380 in Princeton, Texas. Interment will follow at Wilson Chapel Cemetery on Bridgefarmer Road in Lowry Crossing, Texas. Rev. Rich Hooper will officiate.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Alzheimer's Research would be greatly appreciated.