Wayland Smith

Obituary of Wayland Smith WAYLAND DELBERT SMITH, 91, of Bushnell, Florida, died October 16, 2009 at the Lane Purcell Hospice Center in Summerville, FL, following a lingering illness. He is survived by Monique Vanier Smith, his wife of 30 years; by one brother, Arnold (Marge) Smith of Bushnell, FL; by his three children, Sharon Adams and her special friend, Ken Van Tassel of New Port Richey, FL; Dale Smith and his fianc, of New Smyrna Beach, FL; and Carol (Donald) Racine of Derby Line, VT; three grandchildren, Shelley Smith Tomaino of Milton, VT; Sean Smith of Boston, MA, and Emily Racine (Merle Junior) Crawford, and one great-grandchild, Joey Crawford all of Barton, VT. Mr. Smith is also survived by Mrs. Smith's family, Andrew (Sandi) Vanier of Portsmouth, RI, Dean (Shellie) Vanier of Canaan, NH, John Vanier of Lebanon, NH, and Alan (Sue) Vanier of Newport Center, VT. Mr. Smith was predeceased by his older brother Raymond Smith of Orlando, FL. Mr. Smith was born in Glover, VT, in 1918, the son of Mildred and Delbert Smith, who both predeceased him in 1985. He lived and worked in Barton, VT, where he raised his children with his first wife, Shirley Stiles Smith, who predeceased him in 1993. They divorced in 1978. He graduated from Barton Academy in 1936, on of 32 in his class. Mr. Smith worked at the Barton Cleaners in Barton and Ethan Allen Furniture in Orleans until his retirement. He was a member of the Barton United Church where he sang in the choir and was a Master Mason. He enjoyed playing golf, raising a garden, and working on the family home in Barton. He moved to Bushnell, FL, in 1980 with Monique after marrying in Barton. While in Bushnell the couple became involved with the Moose Club where they both rose to the top of the club's leadership ladder. They enjoyed many trips together with member of the Moose, going to Hawaii three times, excursions to Las Vegas, NV, Biloxi, MS, Branson, MO, and Memphis, TN, to name a few. Mr. Smith worked part-time for the Purcell Funeral Home in Bushnell for several years before retiring again. Mr. Smith was a veteran of World War II, having served in the Army from 1943-1945. He was a medical clerk with the 127th Evacuation Hospital assigned to the 7th Army while stationed in Germany. He was one of the first three medical soldiers to enter the Dachau Concentration Camp in Germany following its liberation by the U.S. Army in 1945. Mr. Smith processed concentration camp prisoners, assessing their health and helping to treat the thousands of emaciated prisoners before they were released for further medical attention outside the camp. While touring the camp he found no English speaking POW's. All the prisoners were malnourished but they were all happy to see their liberators. "They smiled and waved at us." Mr. Smith once relayed to family members, "and some prisoners asked for food and cigarettes. But most of them were so weak they couldn't say anything. I had never experienced anything like that before." Services Graveside Services will be held at Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell, FL, on Friday, October 23, 2009 at 11:30 am. Military Honors will be rendered by the Spring Hill VFW. Memorials Friends who wish may send memorials to Lane Purcell Hospice House, 2445 Lane Park Road, Tavares, FL 32778.