Obituary of Clarence William Smith

Clarence William “Brother” Smith was born to the union of Dave and Ina Smith on July 22, 1913 in Markum, Texas and died at the age of 93 on January 9, 2007. Moving to Pearland at the age of 14, Clarence was an industrious man who lived his life in service to others. Clarence was employed by Humble Oil and Refining until August 1941 when he joined the U. S. Army Air Corps. He spent the majority of his tour of duty in the Aleutian Islands off the coast of Alaska. He was a true patriot and proud of his service in World War II. In 1945, Clarence returned home and to his job with Humble but soon joined his father and brother in farming rice and raising cattle in Pearland, Texas. In later years, he and his brother were partners in Smith Brothers Feed and Farm Supply. In 1975, Clarence purchased Pearland Hardware and Supply Co. Inc. and served as the chief operating officer until his retirement in 1985. At the young age of 65, Clarence married Katherine Dwillis. They spent their time traveling in the United States, Europe, Nova Scotia and Alaska where Clarence had been stationed during the war. His father, mother, wife, sister, Joyce Smith Miller and nephew Berry Miller, III, precede Clarence in death. His sister Mary Lee Miller of Houston and brother, David L. Smith of Pearland survive him. He is also survived by his five nieces Ina Kathryn Miller of Houston, Mary Helen Miller of Comfort, Texas, Dr. Martha Smith Singleton of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, Dr. Susan Smith Lenamon of Pearland, and Leah Smith Bateman of Pearland. Clarence is also survived by life long friend, Joyce Estopinal. The family will receive visitors from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday, January 11, 2007 at Clayton Funeral Home. A memorial service will be held on Friday, January 12 at 10 a.m. also at Clayton Funeral Home with interment at SouthPark Cemetery in Pearland. Serving as pallbearers are family members Ben Lenamon, Dwight Bateman, Chip Bateman, Terry Davis, John Gartrell, Martin Lenamon, and Kenneth Davis. Honorary pallbearers are S. A. “Splon” Lane, J. B. Purcell, James E. “Bumpy” Davis, James E. “Jim” Davis, Roy “Dude” Martin, Joe Fenn, A. O. “Tunney” Johnson, Tom Alexander, Mike O’Day, Bill Bradley and Corky Seglequist. The family wishes to thank his caregiver, Janice Epps for her loving care of Brother. For those desiring contributions may be made to the Pearland Historical Society, P. O. Box 1333, Pearland, Texas 77588.