Joseph Wilton Smith Jr.

Joseph Wilton Smith Jr., age 90, died on May 30, 2024, at Indian River Estates in Vero Beach, Florida.
Joseph was born on November 18, 1933, in Omaha, Nebraska, to Joseph W. Smith Sr. and Leora Russell Smith. Joseph attended the University of Nebraska in Lincoln, graduating in 1955. He was a member of the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity, serving as President.
Joseph married Joan Mary Hueske, of Hastings, Nebraska, on September 24, 1955. He subsequently served in the U.S. Army, deployed to Germany as a military policeman.
Joseph joined International Business Machines Inc. in 1958, ending his 30-year IBM career as Branch Manager in St. Louis, Missouri.
Upon his retirement from IBM, Joseph joined First National Bank-St. Louis as President of the Chesterfield branch office. He contributed his time and talent to a variety of civic, community and religious organizations. He was President of the University Club; an active member of the Rotary Club of Clayton-Ladue; board member of Maryville University of St. Louis; and a trustee of Ladue Chapel Presbyterian Church.
Joseph retired to Vero Beach, Florida, in the early 1990s. He was an avid member of the "Grady Bunch" of local boat owners and an active member of the Vero Beach Country Club.
Survivors include wife Joan; children Jeffrey, of Grants, New Mexico; Scott, of Westport, Connecticut; and Susan, of Cape Town, South Africa; grandsons Sean Smith of Philadelphia, Pa. and Cole B Prowitt-Smith of Fairfield, Conn. Joseph was predeceased by his sisters Mary Jane (Sheridan) and Lora Lee (Novak).
The family will hold a private memorial service at First Presbyterian Church at a later date to be determined by the family.
In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be sent to First Presbyterian Church, 520 Royal Palm Blvd, Vero Beach, FL 32960; www.firstpresvero.org.
Arrangements are by Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory, Vero Beach.