William and Mila Smith

On August 27, 1959, William Conrad and Mila Jeanette Wilson Smith said “I Do”, beginning a 64 year journey as husband and wife. That journey continued until they were both called home to heaven in February, just 16 days apart. 

Mila passed away February 9, 2024 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. She was born February 27, 1939 in Fort Worth to James David and Gertrude LaFaye Oldham Wilson. She attended North Fort Worth High School, graduating in 1957.  She went on to attend Decatur Baptist College, where she was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma and the theater club.  It was there that she and William met and they fell in love. She went on to Texas Women’s University, where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Library Science.  Mila worked at the New Mexico State University Library until her retirement in 1996.

Mila was preceded in death by her parents and 10 siblings.  She is survived by a brother, George Wilson of Los Gatos, California.

William, who passed away February 25, 2024 in Colorado Springs, was born May 20, 1937 to John Wesley and Inez Surles Smith of Cisco. He graduated from Cisco High School in 1956 where he played football and basketball and was Lobo King XXXIV. He then attended  Decatur Baptist College, North Texas State University and later received a PhD from Iowa State University.  William also served in the National Guard.

He taught Physics at Texas Women’s University and worked at the White Sands Test Facility for NASA until his retirement in 2004.  He received several creative development and technical innovation awards and some of his work was patented by NASA.

William was a soft-spoken, kind-hearted and generous man who loved the Lord, his family and his friends without measure.

William was preceded in death by Mila, his parents and his brother, Durward Smith. 

William and Mila left a legacy of two children, Bret Smith and wife Jennifer of Saginaw, and Tanya Mangold and husband Robert of Colorado Springs; grandchildren Kaylin Mangold and Mitchell Mangold of Colorado Springs, and Holly Martinez and husband Elijah of Ozark, Missouri; and great-grandson Malachi Martinez of Ozark, Missouri.

William and Mila both lived their lives as a testament of their Christian faith. Their example of life and love will live on in the memories of their family and friends for years to come.

A celebration of William and Mila’s life will be held at 2:00 PM Sunday, March 10, 2024, at First Baptist Church in Cisco, with Dr. Tommy Culwell officiating.  The couple will be laid to rest in Oakwood Cemetery.

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