William “Bill” Westbrook Smith

William “Bill” Westbrook Smith, 92, of Midland, TX passed away October 2, 2024.  A visitation will begin at 1:00pm on Wednesday, October 9, 2024 at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory.

He was born to Ray and Lois Spencer Smith in Oblong, IL and moved to Robinson, Illinois in 1948. Bill graduated from Robinson High School Class of 1950 and then the University of Illinois, with a BS Mechanical Engineering, Class of 1954.  He was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant United States Army Reserve.

Bill went to work for THE OHIO OIL CO (now Marathon Oil CO) in Robinson, IL as a Field Engineer. He was called to active duty, February of 1955, attending two schools (116 EOBC & 159 EEMOC) at Ft Belvoir, VA and then on to Germany. He was assigned to the 503 Engineer Co (LE), then 24th Engineer Co and finally the Engineer Training Team GTAG (assigned to the new German Army). Commissioned 1st Lieutenant USAR Aug 1956. On return to the USA he was at Fort Leonard Wood, MO with the Transitional Training Co.

In Robinson, IL on Oct 4, 1958, he married Eleanor Slunaker of Robinson, IL and they were parents of Elizabeth and Robert. His work career was with Marathon Oil Co: 1957-1967 Robinson, IL, Field Engineer on water flood projects and Project Engineer Fry Insitu Project; 1967-1971 Jonesville, MI; Gas Plant Foreman; 1971-1973 Powell, WY Field Engineer Byron- Garland; 1973-1975 Cody, WY Construction Engineer; 1975-1976 Lafayette, LA Construction Engineer, West Cameron Blk 620 Platform; 1978-1986 Midland, XT Senior Construction Engineer Yates Field Unit retiring in 1986.

He was preceded in death by his parents Ray and Lois Spencer Smith.

He is survived by his loving wife, Eleanor Slunaker Smith; daughter Elizabeth Ann Smith (Lecta) of Lafayette, LA; son Robert “Bob” Smith of Austin, TX; and brother, Randal Smith (Lynda) of Cicero, IN.

Bill enjoyed: volunteer work, traveling, fishing, bird hunting and downhill skiing in Summit County Colorado.  He was a member of the Commemorative Air Force, BPOE Elks Lodge of Cody, WY; Sons of American Revolution; Midland Petroleum Museum, Midland Community & Senior Services; and Midland Republican Women.

Special thanks to the staff of Helen Greathouse Manor at Manor Park in Midland, TX and Angels Care Hospice.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the charity of your choice.

Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland. Online condolences may be made at www.npwelch.com.

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