Dillard Smith

Dillard Leslie Smith, 88 of Pima passed away peacefully at his home on June 5, 2010. Dillard was born August 22, 1921 to Jesse and Emma Smith in Mt. Pleasant, Texas. He is survived by his loving wife of 69 years and 11 months, Annie Mae Melton Smith, five of his seven children: Leslie Don (Peggy) Smith of Pima, Ronnie Dale (Kathy) Smith of Phoenix, Jesse W. (Jackie) Smith of Somerset, KY, Willard L. Butch (Sherry) Smith of Midland, TX, Linda Smith (Bruce) Campbell of Leander, TX; 27 grandchildren scattered throughout Arizona, Kentucky, Texas, Oklahoma, Washington and Germany; 48 great grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren. He is also survived by sister Syble McClain and Christine (Ernest) Chapman all of Odessa, TX; in-laws Fred Tankersley of Olden, TX, Molly Smith of Farmington, NM and Margaret Clark of San Manuel, AZ. Dillard was preceded in death by his parents, 4 brothers Lee Bryant, Robert Bryant, Willard Smith (twin), John Smith, sister Betty Tankersley, son Dillard Larry and daughter Emma Yvonne Sissy. Dillard married Annie Mae on July 4, 1940. He worked in Morenci, AZ for Phelps Dodge for 37 years before retiring to Pima. Prior to working for Phelps Dodge, he was employed by the CC Camp working in Wyoming and Montana. Dillard loved to camp, hunt and fish. He definitely had a green thumb. He was a real handyman both in home repairs and auto maintenance. Dillard enjoyed carving and whittling and had a keen knack as a story teller and jokester. He was loved by many and will be missed abundantly. His children would like to give a special Thank You to Peggy for her loving care of Daddy. Funeral services will be conducted Wednesday, June 9, 2010 at 9 a.m. in the Caldwell Funeral Chapel. The family will receive friends on Tuesday evening from 6-8 p.m. at the Caldwell Funeral Chapel. Interment will be in the Gila Valley Memorial Gardens.