Paul Winston Smith

Paul Winston Smith of Merrill, Michigan 

Beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother-in-law, uncle, and friend passed away peacefully, with his entire family by his side, on Monday, February 19, 2024, at Covenant HealthCare - Harrison, following a brief battle with interstitial lung disease. He was 80 years old. Paul W. Smith was born on February 8, 1944, in Saginaw, Michigan, to the late Charles and Wanda (Ward) Smith. He was a proud 1962 graduate of Saginaw High School. Following graduation, Paul proudly enlisted in the United States Air Force serving from November of 1962 through September of 1966, as a munition weapons loader stationed at Elmendorf Air Force Base in Anchorage, Alaska. He then served an additional two years with the United States Air Force Reserves and was honorably discharged. He married the love of his life, Patricia "Pat" Ann Elwood, whom he met on a blind date in the 8th grade. Their souls were united in marriage on August 10, 1963, in Saginaw; she survives him. Paul worked as a truck driver with Central Transport, retiring in 1996 after 30 years of loyal and dedicated service. The role of his lifetime, one he treasured and cherished above all others, was to be a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. When Paul was 15 years old, he bought a 1936 Ford with the money he made on a paper route, then spent countless years meticulously restoring it. Simply put, there was nothing he couldn't repair, fix, or cobble. He held a special place in his heart for animals, especially his dog, Bo, with his family always wondering "who trained who". His little piece of heaven was sitting in his favorite chair watching and feeding the birds. Paul will forever be remembered for being kind and selfless, for being a happy-go-lucky and comical man, for always having a special twinkle in his eye and a smirk on his face, and for truly living an amazing life filled with many beautiful memories and stories. 

Surviving are his wife of 60 years, Patricia "Pat" Smith of Merrill; four children: Joan Hoffman of Hemlock; Julie (Marty) Fleminger of Hemlock; Jeanette (John) Carlson of Merrill; Jeff (Michelle) Smith of Merrill; 11 grandchildren: Lindsay Hoffman and her fiancé, Cam Marsrow; Michael Hoffman; Natalie Hoffman; Haley (Thomas) Wissner; Courtney Fleminger and her boyfriend, Logan Clements; Ashley Fleminger and her boyfriend Noah Stewart; Shelby Carlson and her boyfriend, Brian; Emma (Julius) Glazier; Lucas Carlson; Josh Smith; Trisha Smith and her boyfriend, Cody Mellon; one great-granddaughter, Malia Wissner; two brothers-in-law: Leslie Elwood of Oklahoma City, OK; James Obermiller of Bay City. Also surviving are many nieces, nephews, extended family, and dear friends. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Wanda Smith; father- and mother-in-law, Carlton and Geneva Elwood; four sisters and five brothers: Helen (Will) Carley; Lucille (Chuck) Hardy; Marie (Bob) Weiss; Shirley Obermiller; Bud (Minnie) Smith; Bob (Connie) Smith; Chuck (Pat) Smith; Jerry (Marilyn) Smith; and Frankie Smith. 

The Smith Family would like to thank family and friends, as well as the 6th floor ICU staff at Covenant HealthCare - Harrison for all the love and care they provided to Paul and the family. Honoring Paul's wishes, cremation has taken place. 

A Celebration of his life will take place from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 2, 2024, at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 21520 Gratiot Road, Merrill, MI, 48637. Military Honors and presentation of the flag will take place at 4:30 p.m. under the auspices of the United State Air Force and VFW Post 7302. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorials to the Jonesfield/Lakefield Township Fire Department. Arrangements have been entrusted to the W. L. Case and Company Funeral Directors, 125 E. Saginaw Street, Merrill, MI, 48637. Please share your thoughts and memories with the family at hall or through www.casefuneralhome.com.