Millard Hawley Smith

Millard Hawley Smith 94 years of age of Torrance, California formerly of St. Louis, Missouri passed away peacefully in his home of natural causes. Hawley is survived by his wife Marlene Smith, his daughters, Dr. Kelloir Smith and Holly Joy Smith, his son Barton Hawley Smith, and five grandsons and three great grandchildren. Hawley was the son of E. Millard Smith of Rensselaer, Indiana, and Vera Louis Hawley of St. Louis, Missouri. Born during the Great Depression, Hawley had a strong work ethic and worked many different jobs as a young man to help support himself and his family. He graduated from the University of Colorado in 1952 receiving a Regular Army Commission as 2nd Lieutenant in the Artillery Branch. During his military service, he earned an MBA from Syracuse University. After serving 10 years of Active Duty, he went to work in the private sector, first in manufacturing then in universities. In the late 70s, he returned to Federal Service as District Director of the Small Business Administration in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Richmond, Virginia, and Los Angeles, California. He retired in 1994.

Hawley always gravitated toward getting involved and taking on leadership roles; this includes memberships in the Sigma Chi Fraternity, The Masons, The Scottish Rite, and the Shriners. Hawley was the former president of The Arleta Chamber of Commerce in the San Fernando Valley, California, and he was the former president and treasurer of numerous associations. In these supportive roles to the community Hawley received multiple awards for his lifelong community efforts. Hawley was a sensible Christian, with conservative values. He enjoyed the piano, chess, golf, and watching movies and documentaries about war, history and lost treasures. Other hobbies Hawley was enthusiastic about included stamp and coin collecting, cheering on the Green Bay Packers, dancing the Polka and the Waltz, watching parades, and researching family ancestry.

Hawley’s long life and positive impact on those he encountered are a point of pride for his family and loved ones. He will be greatly missed.