Cecil W. Smith, age 88, died Saturday, February 21, 2009, at the United Retirement Center in Brookings, South Dakota. Memorial services will be 11:00 A.M. Monday, February 23, 2009 at First United Methodist Church, Brookings, South Dakota. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Habitat For Humanity (Brookings Area), 337 8th St., Brookings, South Dakota 57006.

Cecil William Smith was born July 11, 1920, in Bryantsville, Kentucky, to James Franklin and Minnie Lee (Baker) Smith. He moved to Havanna, Florida, as a child and lived there through high school. Following graduation Cecil enrolled in trade school and earned an Associates Degree in home building. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II. Following the war, Cecil returned to Florida, where on June 25, 1948 he married Virginia Carter in Jacksonville, Florida. He supported his family by working as a construction supervisor for single family homes and later started his own building contracting business.

Cecil served as deacon in the Presbyterian church in Florida. He was also President of the Home Builders Association of Florida. He enjoyed fishing, golf and travel.

Survivors include his wife, Virginia C. Smith, of Brookings; four children: Holly S. (Adair) Watters of Spartenberg, South Carolina, William C. (Becky) Smith of Jacksonville, Florida, Joanie S. (Rick) Holm of Brookings, South Dakota, Donna S. (Jeff) Ketchledge of Port Orange, Florida; ten grandchildren; a brother, James Earl Smith; and a sister, Louise. He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Marvin, Hugh, and Raymond; and three sisters, Irene, Grace, and Evelyn.