Mr. Etcyl D. Smith

June 12, 1933 - October 1, 2019

Etcyl Dee Smith, a lifelong resident of Willow Springs, passed away Tuesday, October 1, 2019, at Willow Care Nursing Home. He was 86 years old. Etcyl was born June 12, 1933, in Willow Springs, MO, to Hazel Verne (Miner) Smith and Millard Howard Smith. He grew up in Willow Springs and as an adult lived briefly in Chicago before returning to his hometown to raise his family and run Smith Insurance Agency, which had been established by his father. After retiring from the agency, he greatly enjoyed traveling throughout Missouri to teach insurance licensing courses. Etcyl was active throughout his life in many civic and arts organizations. He served as president of the Willow Springs Chamber of Commerce and was a founder of the Willow Springs Development Corp., where he also served as president. He was also an active member of the Rotary Club, the Lions Club and the Willow Springs Country Club, and he was recently honored as a 50-year member of Ingomar Lodge #536 of the Masonic Grand Lodge of Missouri. His contributions to the community included serving with the Salvation Army, where he was a community point of contact for those needing financial assistance. He had a wide range of interests and a passion for reading about and discussing philosophy, art, politics, music, and theater. He played roles in many community theater productions over the years and put a high priority on teaching his daughters about the arts and sciences, even when that meant a four- or eight-hour drive to St. Louis or Chicago to attend plays and visit museums. Etcyl had a soft spot for animals and took in many dogs and cats over the years. Other passions included classical music, opera, golfing, bicycling, photography, and traveling. He earned a pilot’s license in early adulthood and was interested in all things related to aviation. He especially loved traveling the back highways of his native Ozarks and exploring springs, rivers, and hiking trails. Etcyl was preceded in death by his parents; his siblings, Joy Sharp, Howard Smith, and Carol Kay Murrow; and longtime partner Sandra Archer. He is survived by his daughters, Sarah Nessel and Julie Smith; his former wife, Lorene Smith; and several nephews and a niece. A graveside service for Etcyl will be held Friday, October 4, 2019, at 10:00 A.M. at the Nease Cemetery with Brother Royce Wheeler of the Robert Burns Masonic Lodge of Gainesville, MO officiating. Memorial donations may be made to the Salvation Army or the Humane Society. Arrangements are under the direction of Willow Funeral Home, LLC. Online condolences may be left at www.willowspringsfuneralhome.com