George W. Smith, 87, passed away July 20, 2012, at Apple Springs Assisted Living in Omak, Wash. where he had resided for the last 2 ˝ years.
     George was born April 18, 1925, in LaVerne, Minn., to James Marian and Pearl (Kuhn) Smith. As a young boy, he and his family moved to Omak where he lived the rest of his life.
     George served in the U.S. Army during WWII. He spent the majority of the war in the South Pacific. During his service, he was wounded and was decorated with a Purple Heart.
     After returning to Omak, he went to work for Biles-Coleman Lumber Company and worked as a millwright until his retirement in 1987. George could fix just about anything and there was a sign over the millshop door reading “Smith’s Welding Shop”.
     In 1948 he married Phyllis Adell Watts. In 1951 their daughter, Phyllis, was born. George and Adell had been married 63 years when Adell passed in 2011. George missed her terribly.
     George is survived by his daughter, Phyllis (Scott) DeTro; granddaughter, Ashley (Bryon) Goetz; great-grandchildren, Evan and Emmerson Goetz; and brothers, Delbert (Janet) Smith and Darryl Smith.
     George was preceded in death by his wife, Adell; his parents, James Marian and Pearl; and his older brother, Marian (Jack).
     In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to the U.S. Armed Forces Legacy, P.O. Box 854, Tonasket, WA 98855.
     A graveside service will be at 11 a.m. on Tuesday Aug. 14, 2012.
     Online condolences may be shared with the family at: www.legacymemorial.info.
     Legacy Memorial Funeral Home has been entrusted with caring for the family.