CPO Wendell L. Smith, USN, Retired

Wendell Lowell Smith, 81, passed away on Tuesday, March 14, 2023 in Abilene, Texas.

Gathering will begin at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 25, 2023 at The Hamil Family Funeral Home.

Funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 25, 2023 at The Hamil Family Funeral Home with Steve Warren of Williams, Indiana Church of Christ, officiating.   Burial service will follow on Monday, March 27, 2023 at Woodland Cemetery in Cleveland, Oklahoma.  Services are under the direction of The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road, Abilene, Texas 79606.

Wendell was born in Palisade, Colorado to Lester and Irene on October 19, 1941.  He went to school in Sand Springs, Oklahoma. He graduated from Charles Page High School.   He married Buena Josette Taylor on July 7, 1965 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He worked as an Aviation Structural Mechanic Chief Petty Officer and a Recruiter for the United States Navy for 27 years.  He was a veteran of the Vietnam War and was awarded two Navy Achievement Medals, Navy Unit Commendation Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, 3 Armed Forces Expeditionary Medals, and Vietnam Service Medal.

Wendell was preceded in death by his wife Buena, his son Matthew, and his daughter Buffiejo. 

Wendell is survived by his son Scott and his wife Inge, son in law Joseph Craig, grandchildren Ashley Krahenbuhl and her husband Tyler, Memory Shifflett and her husband Steven, Caleb, Dallas, Devin, Austin, and great grandchildren Grayson, Mason, and Heidi.

The family of Wendell wishes to extend our sincere thanks to Hendrick Hospice Care for ensuring the best care for him in his final days.