- Date Of Birth: March 12, 1935
- Date Of Death: February 21, 2016
- State: Indiana
Walter Edwin Smith, 80,of Franklin, Indiana, passed away February 21, 2016. Walt was the son of Otto and Hazel (Mitchell) Smith, who preceded him in death, as well as his brother, Otto Smith Jr.
He is survived by his wife, Hannelore Bechtle Smith; three children; Walter Edwin “Ed” Smith II of Franklin, Marlene Smith (Robert) Marchesani of Indianapolis, and Loriann Smith (Ken) Sandrock of Franklin, nine grandchildren; Stuart, Samantha and Sarah Smith; Allison, Andrew and Matthew Marchesani; and Carly, Lauren and Morgan Sandrock; a brother, Leslie (Wanda) Smith of Little Rock, Arkansas; and a sister, Betty Cox of Madison, Indiana.
Mr. Smith was born and raised in Franklin and was a 1953 graduate of Franklin High School. Mr. Smith retired in 1985 as a civil servant from Fort Benjamin Harrison and also served in the U.S. Army and U.S. Army Reserve for 35 years retiring as Command Sergeant Major in 1991. He was awarded both the Legion of Merit and Meritorious Service Medal. He was an active member of the American Legion Post no. 205 and served in military honor guards for more than 20 years, and also as a volunteer at the Camp Atterbury Museum.
Walt enjoyed being part of a regular Tuesday morning golf group with his friends Merrill, Kenny and Dick. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Franklin.
