Walter Valentine "Wally" Smietanski

1947 - 2025

Walter "Wally" Valentine Smietanski, age 78, of Gassville, Arkansas, passed away on Sept. 27, 2025, in Mountain Home.

He was born on April 30, 1947, in Ramallah, Palestine, the son of Polish immigrants Walenty and Stella Jasinska Smietanski.

Wally proudly served four years in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War era before returning to civilian life and beginning his career with the Chicago & North Western Railroad. In 1982, he married Joyce Crissinger, and together they made their home in the Chicago suburbs.

For 30 years, Wally worked as a Special Agent with the Chicago & North Western and Union Pacific Railroads, retiring in 2007. He was a longtime member of the Fraternal Order of Police and the Retired Police Association.

Following retirement, Wally and Joyce moved to Gassville to be closer to their daughter and granddaughter. Wally embraced his new community with enthusiasm, taking up wood carving as a member of the North Arkansas Woodcarvers.

Many hours were spent carving, socializing and enjoying cherry turnovers at Wishes n' Fishes in Bull Shoals. An avid photographer, he generously shared his talents with local groups and rarely missed capturing family gatherings -usually in between plates of Polish food.

Wally and Joyce enjoyed traveling with the Mountain Home Anstaff Travel Club and were active members of the Mountain Home Elks Lodge 1714 and VFW Post 3246. Wally also found fellowship at the First United Methodist Church of Mountain Home.

He is survived by his wife, Joyce Smietanski of Gassville; step-daughters, Christine Ann (Drew) Linville of Lakeview and Carolyn Renee (Scott) Scanlan of Midway; and granddaughter, Rhiannon.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 2 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025, at First United Methodist Church, with the Rev. John Fleming officiating. Military honors will be presented by the United States Air Force Honor Guard.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice of the Ozarks.

Arrangements are by Kirby and Family Funeral and Cremation Services-Mountain Home, Arkansas. An online obituary and guestbook are available at www.kirbyandfamily.com