My Grandpa was part of the 41st Cavalary. RIP.

Obituaries
Robert W. (Robbie) Smith

One of the last pages in northern Arizona's colorful, bawdy, frontier past was turned on Thursday, Nov. 9, 2006 with the death of a local legend ? Robert W. (Robbie) Smith, age 84, of Williams.

Grandson of Tom "Tennessee" and Mary Smith, a homesteader and frontier town constable, Robbie was born in Clemensaw, near Jerome, on May 14, 1922 to Mark and Katherine (Katie) Smith. The family returned to Williams shortly after Robbie's birth.

Released from Williams High School early for Army service in World War II, Robbie joined the legion of heroes who overran Normandy Beach. He engaged the enemy in three of the fiercest battles of the European Campaign. Returning home at the end of the war, he found peaceful solitude in the harsh loneliness of a working cowboy. From atop a horse, he lived in a world that he loved and could call his own, from the Verde River to the grassy woodlands south of Williams.

Upon marrying Marian Louise (Mary Lou) MacDonald, he left the ranches he had called home and moved into Williams, taking the position of police officer, which he held for 20 years. His colorful stories of his days as a soldier and cowboy, as well as his unique and wonderful sense of humor, provided laughter and joy to the people of Williams for years. He was truly a local treasure and a living institution.

Robbie is survived by his younger sister, Mary Pitts, of Williams; his daughters, Kathie Craig and Robyn Eckel of Williams; and his sons, Paul of Dana Point, Calif. and Marion of Williams. He leaves behind 10 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Graveside services will be held for Robbie at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2006 at the Williams Cemetery. Please join the family for a celebration of life at the American Legion following the services.