Funeral service for CMSgt (Retired) Walter Baze Smith will be 1:00 P.M. Saturday, October 29, 2016 in the Chapel of Peace Mausoleum at Sunset Memorial Gardens with Rev. Kenneth Cantrell officiating.

Burial with full military honors will be under direction of Becker-Rabon Funeral Home.

A reception will be held at the home of George and Evelyn Smith following the service.

Chief Master Sergeant Smith (Retired) Walter Baze Smith died at his home in Lawton on Thursday, October 20, 2016.  Walter was born January 20, 1929 in Chickasha, OK to Robert Wiley and Sarah Leona (Flynt) Smith.

He entered the U.S. Air Force in 1946. His overseas assignments included Yokota Air Base in Japan, Thule Air Base in Greenland, and Phu Cat Air Base in Viet Nam. He served his country for 26 years.

He completed Military Police School and the Strategic Air Command NCO Academy, served as Superintendent of Minuteman Missile Security, completed the Inspector General's School at Scott AFB, and was assigned to the Inspector General's Office at Headquarters Strategic Air Command at Offutt AFB.

His decorations were: Bronze Star Medal for meritorious service in Viet Nam, Meritorious Service Medal for 26 years service, Air Force Commendation Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, Outstanding Unit Award, and numerous campaign ribbons. He received the Associate of Arts Degree from Merced College, Merced, CA.

While stationed at Travis AFB in CA, he met and married Sophie Ozella Fowler on September 17, 1952 at Fairfield, California.  She preceded him in death on April 29, 2006.

After retirement, Walter was employed at Marshall Space Flight Center (NASA), Huntsville, AL as Chief of Security Guards. He supervised security for NASA programs including Skylab, Hubble Telescope, and Space Shuttle.

Walter was a Master Mason, Hellion Lodge No. 1, 32nd Degree Scottish Rite, York Rite, and Cahaba Shrine Temple. He was a life member of American Legion Post 237 (Commander 1983-85), life member of VFW Post 2702, and a member of BPO Elks 1648—all in Huntsville, AL.

After retirement from NASA, Walter and Sophie moved to Lawton to be close to family members. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Lawton. Friends and family called him "Uncle Walter."

He was preceded in death by his wife of 54 years, his parents, and siblings: Lenie Weldon Smith, Catherine Adeline Howard, and John Wiley Smith.

He is survived by siblings: George F Smith (wife Evelyn), and Edith Ann Smith, Lawton; nephews: R Brent Smith (wife LaDonna), Lawton, G Keith Smith (wife Darla), Edmond, and Eugene Herd and Lenie W Smith, CA; niece Harimi Handlin, WA; great nieces Julia Stoltenberg (husband Braden), Norman, Katherine Smith, Seattle, and Lauren Neundorf, OK City; great nephews: Andrew Smith, OK City, Alexander Smith, New Orleans, and Samuel Smith, Edmond; and great great nephew and niece: Graham and Vivian Stoltenberg, Norman.