WILLYS H. SMITH

   Willys H., Smith, 53. of 324 N. Broad St., Lancaster, died Thursday afternoon in St. Rita's Hospital, Lima.
   An associate of Clarko Co., he was a World War II veteran, having served in the 82nd Airborne Division. He was a member of Elks Lodge, Lima, Eagles Lodge, Springfield, Fairfield Post No. 11 American Legion, and United Commercial Travelers, Lancaster.
   Survivors include: one daughter, Mrs. James (Melody) Perrault of Lancaster; three sons, Craig of Ft. Knox, Ky., and Steven arid Jeffrey, both of Lancaster; parents, Mrs. and Mrs. Elgin Smith, Lancaster; one sister, Mrs. Paul (Jacquelyn) Hanselman of Columbus: one brother, Kyle Smith, Willoughby, OH, and two nieces.
   Service will be 10:30 a.m. Monday in Halteman-Fett Funeral Home; the Rev. Stephen Schullery officiating; burial in Maple Hill Cemetery, Stoutsville.
   Friends may call at the funeral home 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday.

[Lancaster Eagle-Gazette, Lancaster, OH, 28 Mar 1975, Fri Page 23]

Grave marker for Willys H. Smith in Lot 77, Grave 5, Maple Hill Cemetery, Stoutsville (Fairfield county), Ohio.

Willys enlisted in the Army on 25 August1942 at Lancaster, OH and was transferred to Camp Wheeler, GA for basic training.  He then volunteered for parachutist duty.

Assigned to the Medical Detachment, 508th PIR, Pvt Smith was transferred to Company E on 30 April 1943.

Pfc Smith was wounded in action on 17 June 1944 and evacuated to a field hospital but was able to return to duty in the following month.

He was discharged on 12 March 1946.