William Kennard Smith

William Kennard (Ken) Smith, 81, of Vinton, Va., passed away on Monday, November 23, 2009. He was a veteran of the United States Navy and was retired from Flexible Steel Lacing of Chicago, Ill. Ken also attended Johns' Hopkins University. Ken was born on November 4, 1928, in Baltimore, Md., to the late Millard Kirby Smith and Hilda Violet Martin Smith. He was also preceded in death by a son, William K. Smith Jr.; and a brother, Millard Martin Smith. Survivors include his wife, Edith McBride Smith; a daughter, Beverly Ann Smith, of Greensboro, N.C.; and four grandchildren, Julie Hand, Michael Smith, and Catherine Smith, all of Greensboro, N.C., and Zachary Smith, of Angleton, Texas. Memorial services will be conducted 1 p.m. on Wednesday, November 25, 2009, from the Thrasher Memorial Methodist Chapel in Vinton. The Rev. David Vaughan will officiate. The family will receive friends from 12:30 p.m. until service time. Burial to be private. Lotz Funeral Home, Vinton Chapel is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Thrasher Memorial United Methodist Church Building Fund. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.lotzfuneralhome.com.