Willard Kim Smith

Obituary
I was born May 13, 1954 in Salina, UT to Willard Bert Smith and Peggy Ann Mueller. I was the first of two children born to my parents, the second being my brother Glenn. Glenn and I have always been best friends.

I married Deena Brown in 1971, later divorced. We had two children, Melisa Ann and Jared Bert. On August 13, 1983 I married Jewel R. Smith. Together we raised Melisa, Jared and her two sons, Ryan and Eric Lyman. My wife and I were therapeutic foster parents and had many other children in our lives. I had a great love for my family and we spent many good times together camping, fishing, hunting, four ­wheeling, and exploring the world. I enjoyed watching the children grow and excel in different aspects of their lives. I was very proud of them all. We also had 10 wonderful grandchildren: Lilie Cranford, Gabe and Danielle Resendez, Beau Lyman, Wesley, Haylee, Chase, Jackson, Aly, and Brooks Lyman.

I graduated from Granger High School in 1972. I started Apprenticeship School at Salt Lake Community College in 1974 and became a Journeyman Ironworker in 1977 working in Local #27. I retired in 2016. During my 42 year career I worked for many contractors including: CULP, Clayburn, Weyer, AJ McKee, Isaacson, Acme Crane, Monroc, TCI, Buehner Concrete, Steel Deck, Lakeside, Olsen Beal, Shurtleff & Andrews, A.C. Dellovade, Harmon, Brahma, and many others I’ve forgotten. Little did I know while spending a large portion of my career helping to build parts of the University of Utah Hospital complex, that it was where I’d receive so much help myself. I often joked that I’d been in the business so long, they’ve started tearing down buildings I helped put up. I made many lifelong friends throughout my career too numerous to mention, but you know who you are.

I lived with my family in West Valley CIty, Utah until 1994 at which time we moved to Afton, Wyoming where I designed and helped build our dream home. We left our home in Wyoming and moved back to Utah in 2000 to be closer to my doctors. I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. My favorite callings were working with the primary children and Boy Scouts, which I did for many years.

I am survived by my wife, Jewel, children Melisa (Tony), Jared, Ryan (Mindy), and Eric, mother, Peggy, brother, Glenn (Wendy), step­sisters, Peggy Cain (Jeff), Grace Hallett, Kari Wittbrodt, step­brothers, Mark (Brenda) Smith, Keith (Cathy) Smith, the light of my life ­ my grandchildren, and many special aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, friends and my buddy, Tiko.

I was preceded in death by my father, step­father, Wayne “Les” Lassiter, step­father, Jim Smith, grandon, Wesley Lyman, and step­brother John LaGreca.

To the University of Utah Hospital and Doctors who cared for Kim for the last 20 years and especially during the last days of his life, thank you. You were amazing, every one of you.

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