William "Ken" Kenneth Smith

August 3, 1927 - July 22, 2015

Wm. Kenneth Smith of Fowler died at the Crowley County Nursing Center, Ordway, Colorado, on July 22, 2015, where he had been a resident for a short time. He was born in Fowler, Colorado on August 3, 1927, first child of David K. and Estelle (Foss) Smith. Family was later joined by Martha Jane and David Eugene. After graduation from Manzanola High School in 1945 he joined the United States Army Air Force, serving in the Philippines as a communications specialist. Upon his return to civilian life he began farming in the Vroman community with his father and brother. On January 16, 1948 at Clayton, NM he married Helen Walters of Sugar City, a union which happily lasted until his death. Couple produced three sons: Kenneth Alan, David W. and Eric D. After a successful career as a farmer, he became General Manager of Colorado Feeds of Wiley, CO, a job in which he extensively traveled this nation and Scandinavia. He then worked at Wiley Oliver Sales as salesman, traveling the tri-state area to earn numerous Salesman of the Year awards and gaining the trust and friendship of many, many people. He was a long-time member of the First Christian Church, Manzanola; he also attended-the Wiley and Lamar Methodist Churches, and recently the Fowler United Methodist Church. He was a long-time member of the Masonic Lodge and Manzanola Lions Club, served on the Vroman School Board, and in the 1960's helped design and build the Manzanola baseball field, where he coached many young athletes in the community's summer baseball program. He is survived by his wife Helen of the family home, sons Alan (Shirley), Dave (Cheryl) and Eric, all of Manzanola. Also surviving are grandchildren: Darren, Brian, Jeff, Michelle, Hank, Lisa, 11 great-grandchildren and ten great-great grandchildren; sisters-in-law Lois Smith, Rocky Ford, Bea Leal, Lakewood, CO, Lu (Tom) Munoz, Prescott Valley, AZ, cousin Richard (Judy) Smith, Pueblo, CO, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded into glory by his parents, parents-in-law Sox and Frances Walters, siblings Martha and Gene, brother and sister-in-law Bob and Jeanne Knight, brothers-in-law Ted Leal and John Bitter, nieces Sheila, Jody and Sheryl, nephews Phil and Kevin. Services will be held at the Fowler United Methodist Church, at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 1, 2015. Memorial donations should be directed to the palliative care program of Arkansas Valley Hospice, P. O. Box 408, La Junta CO 81050 or to Crowley County Nursing Center, 401 Idaho Avenue, Ordway CO 81063. Arrangements are entrusted to Ford-Ustick Funeral Home. Condolences may be sent to www.fordustick.com.