Murray Elmer Smith was born June 3, 1914, at Rose Prairie, Oklahoma, the fifth child of eight children born to Jake and Liza Smith.  He died October 28, 2003, in the arms of his wife, Helen.  It was their 57th wedding anniversary day.  They married October 28, 1946, at the Central United Protestant Church in Richland.

They lived in Pryor, Oklahoma for 2 years before returning to Richland.  Murray worked at Hanford for various contractors for 30 years.  In 1979, he retired at age 65.  They moved to Tenino, WA for a period of 15 years, then were drawn back to Richland by family.  Murray and Helen raised two children, Patricia Mullins and Kenneth Smith.

Murray loved hunting and fishing.

He served his country with honor during World War II with the 4th Armored Division.  He was wounded twice, got his feet frozen, and spent 6 months in the Army hospital in England.  He received the Good Conduct medal, two EAME Service Ribbons, three Bronze Services Stars, two Purple Hearts, and one Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster.  He was proud of his part, but he wouldn’t talk about it.

He leaves behind his wife, Helen of their home; daughter, Patricia Mullins; son, Kenneth Smith; daughter-in-law, Sheila Smith; granddaughter, Chelsea and husband, Sean Sunday; and grandson, Kyle Smith, all of Richland; two granddaughters, Chaney Smith and Jessica Mullins of Seattle; a niece, Georga Lack and family of Kent, WA; a great grandson, Cohen Sunday and a soon-to-be-born great granddaughter.  He is also survived by his brother, Carl Smith and family of Pryor and many nieces and nephews in Oklahoma, Texas, Kansas and elsewhere.

Murray and Helen often took foster children under their wings.  They kept in touch with three – two girls and a boy – brother and sisters.  Shella Davenport of North Dakota will take part in the Service for Murray on Monday, November 3rd at 11:00 a.m. in the Seventh Day Adventist Church on McMurray in Richland. Interment with military honors will be in Sunset Memorial Gardens on the By-Pass Highway in Richland.

Viewing will be at Einan’s Funeral Home from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. Sunday.