William Smith

William "Howard" Smith, longtime Asher area resident, passed from this life Saturday, June 7, 2008, at Unity North Health Center in Shawnee at the age of 86 years.rnHe was born September 26, 1921 in Tahlequah, OK to Floyd Orville and Lydia Ann (Whisenent) Smith.rnHoward enlisted in the United States Army on July 21, 1943 and proudly served his country during World War II. He received an honorarble discharge on November 3, 1943.rnOn May 19, 1945 Howard married the love of his life, Mildred L. Duncan. Together they shared a wonderful, loving marriage of over 63 years. rnOne of his greatest accomplishments was raising three sons and four daughters.rnAfter owning and operating his own dairy farm, Howard began working for Canadian Valley Electric Coop. He worked as a lineman and retired in 1982 after 33 years of service.rnThen he began his lifelong dream of owning and operating a large cattle ranch. He lived the life of a cowboy on his Rocking H Ranch outside of Asher. Howard trained horses and also was known for going on 100 mile trail rides down to Tahlequah. rnHe always said that he wanted to go out riding his horse and living the cowboy life. rnHoward is survived by his loving wife, Mildred of the home; seven children, Anthony and Phyllis Smith of Stratford, Joyce Ann and Dan McMillian of Konawa, Patricia Covey of Asher, Boyd and Melody Smith of Macomb, Gary Smith of Oklahoma City, Bonnie and Gary Grant of Wewoka and Christina and Stephen Lancaster of Stratford;rntwo brothers, Carl Smith and his wife Madeline of Roseburg, Oregon and Bobby Gene Smith and his wife Pauline of Cement, OK; one sister, Mary Marie Smith and her husband David of Chickasha, OK; grandchildren, Louis Anthony Smith, Jr., Katrina and Andrew Walton, Tony and Lori Pack, Jerry Don and Pam Pack, Chris and Scarlet Pack; Jim and Diane McMillan, Mike and Kim McMillan, Shane and Phyllis McMillan, Deliliah and James Basler, Mona and David Ridley, Edward Seal, Bear Seal, Brandy Smith, Kelly Smith, Dennis Smith, Lisa and Justin Helton,, William Grant, Joe "Logan" Lancaster, William Bodie Lancaster, rn26 great-grandchildren and a host of other family and friends.rnFuneral services will be held on Wednesday, June 11, 2008 at 1:00 P.M. at Swearingen Funeral Home Chapel in Konawa with Bro. John Henry Lippard officiating.rnServing as casket bearers will be Tony Pack, Jerry Don Pack, Chris Pack, Dennis Smith, William Grant and David Ridley. Honorary bearers will be Eddie Seal, Bear Seal, Louis Anthony Smith Jr., Joey Pack, Jonny Pack, Scott Hughes and Bud Hill.rnBurial will follow at Konawa Cemetery.rnServices are under the direction of Swearingen Funeral Home, Konawa. Funeral Information: June 10, 2008, 1:00 AM