Walter J. Smith, Jr. 93 of Kilgore, formerly of Big Spring died Wednesday, May 9, 2018 in Longview. Funeral services will be 10:00 AM Monday, May 14, 2018 at the Nalley-Pickle & Welch Rosewood Chapel with Clark Tatum officiating. Interment will follow at Lamesa Memorial Park in Lamesa, Texas.Walter J. Smith, Jr. was the seventh child born to Walter Jackson Smith and Ella Smith March 31, 1925, in Lamesa, Texas. Walter attended school in Lamesa and as a junior in high school in 1941 he took a job with Collins Department Store in Lamesa, and a few years later became a co-owner in the Collins stores. In 1985, after 44 years, Walter retired from Collins and the only job he ever had.Walter married Mary Joyce Chilton in 1942. They were together for 34 years and had one son, Michael Smith, who now lives in Kilgore, Texas.In 1992 Walter married Rosland Joy Collins. They shared a wonderful life together until her death in 1998.Walter served three years in the Army during World War II. Two of those years were spent in the European Theater. He was a Staff Sergeant in the 1253rd Combat Engineer Division of the 9th Army.Walter became a member of the Church of Christ in 1937. He believed in God and he loved God dearly. He loved his family and treasured every hour he could be with them.He was a great lover of the outdoors. He loved the mountains, the trees, the rivers and everything created by God and nature.He spent many hours of his life roaming the sand hills of West Texas searching for arrow heads, playing golf, working in his yard, or anything to be out in the fresh air under the sunshine and blue skies.Walter was preceded in death by his wife, Roseland Joy Smith; by Joyce Smith; by his mother and father; five sisters; and one brother.He is survived by his son, Michael Smith and wife, Sandra; one granddaughter, Mandy Lee Cox and husband, Doug; and five great-grandchildren, Saige, Kaigen, Cameron, Colby and Chloe; one step-son, Dennis Collins; one step-daughter, Wynelle Sartor; and several nieces and nephews.Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home and Crematory. Online condolences can be made at www.npwelch.com,
