Cephas Smith, Jr.

Wally Smith, Jr. of Kerrville, Texas, passed peacefully from this life on Monday, August 24 at his home in Riverhill.

Wally was born June 4, 1930 in Portsmouth, Virginia, to Cephas Wallace Smith and May Sue Parker Smith. He graduated from Virginia Tech in 1952 with a degree in Industrial Engineering and went on to earn an MBA at the University of Pittsburgh. He served in the US Army in Korea and then went to work for American Safety Razor in Staunton Virginia, where he met his wife, Charlotte Mae Desper. They married in 1957 and had three wonderful sons - Bradley Wallace, Blake Wayne and Bruce Walter Smith.

He worked 20 years in the Finance Department at El Paso Natural Gas and retired in 1995. He and Charlotte moved to Kerrville in 1997. He had a passion for life and never met a stranger, was very active at First Presbyterian Church, Kerrville and numerous community groups.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Emory, and wife, Charlotte. Those left to honor and cherish his memory include son, Brad, of Houston, Texas; son, Blake and his wife, Cheryl of Hunt, Texas; and son, Bruce and his wife, Dina of Fort Collins, Colorado; grandsons, Joshua, Benjamin, Ryan, and Austin; in-laws, Priscilla Cash, Dr. Paul Desper and Jerry Stough; nieces, Jane Cash Amaba, Mary Cleaves Smith and Catherine Perkins; close friend, Eleanor Drake; and many other loving friends and neighbors.

A service of witness to his life will be held at First Presbyterian Church, Schreiner Chapel, on Saturday, August 29 at 3:00 p.m. with the Rev. Dr. Rob Lohmeyer Officiating.

Special thanks to Peterson Hospice, Caring Seniors, Brookdale and Dr. Rebecca Barrington.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be made to Peterson Hospice, First Presbyterian Church, or the Audubon Society.

The family invites you to leave a message or memory at www.kerrvillefuneralhometx.com Select obituaries, select "sign guestbook" at the top of the individual memorial.

Arrangements are under the direction and personal care of the professionals at Kerrville Funeral Home. (830) 895-5111

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