Joseph (Joe) Wilson Smelley

BENTON, LA - Joseph W. Smelley, 79, passed away on May 1, 2018. Visitation will be held from 12:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. Friday, May 4, 2018, at Rose-Neath Funeral Home in Bossier City, LA. Funeral services will follow at 2:00 p.m. in the chapel. Officiating will be Thomas W. Patton, Minister to Senior Adults and Pastoral Care, Cypress Baptist Church, Benton, LA. Burial will follow at Rose-Neath Cemetery, Swan Lake Road, Bossier City, LA. Mr. Smelley was born March 2, 1939, in Ruston, LA. He served his country for five years in the United Stated Army Reserves. Joe worked for Universal Oil Products (UOP) for Forty Years. After retirement he earned a Degree in Gunsmithing from Trinidad College, Trinidad Colorado. Upon returning to Bossier City he opened The Gun Clinic in Haughton, was an avid gun collector and member of the Ark La Tex Gun Club. Mr. Smelley distinguished himself further with his membership in the American Legion, was an NRA benefactor, and a Master Mason of Lodge #477 of Blanchard, a noble of El Karubah Shrine Temple. Joe enjoyed hunting in Alaska, Canada, and Wyoming; he was a Bee Keeper, and a gun engraver. Mr. Smelley was a Christian and a member of Cypress Baptist Church, Benton, LA. He was preceded in death by his parents Emmett W. Smelley and Alameda Singer Smelley, and brother, Roy D. Smelley, Sr. He is survived by his loving wife of forty six years Francis Elizabeth (Betty) Gould Smelley of Benton, LA, Peggy Smelley; sons, Joe K. Smelley of Bossier City, LA, Tommy W. Smelley of Mooringsport, LA; daughter, Tonya Smelley Winkler of Shreveport, LA; granddaughter, Rachel Marie Smelley living in Ruston (God's country according to her PaPa), Kayla Wall and Mary Whitlock-Mash; niece, Becky Crutcher and husband Tim and children; nephew, David Smelley and wife Sara of Houston, TX and children. Honoring Joe as pallbearers will be Melvin Pierre, Gary Lane, Jared Waniewski, Joe Burkhalter, David Smelley, Tyler Goss, Pat Mills, and Jerry Wayne Smelley. Serving as honorary pallbearers will be Eddie McClaran, Joyce Oliver, Charlie Hicks, Ken Lewis, Bill Laird, Matt Matthews, Ken Forte, Denny Dumas, Red McAlister, John Greening, Alvin McCall and Fred Boynton. The family gives special thanks to: Benton Fire Department, Dr. Stephen G. Cassiere and Dr. Gerardo San Pedro. Mr. Melvin Pierre for his wonderful care and friendship for three years and ten months, also to Beverly Withenngton, RN, Mike Polander, PTA, Nelson Cunonan, PTA, and Stephanie Guy. Donations in the memory of Joe may be made to the Shriners Hospital for Children, 3100 Samford Ave., Shreveport, LA 71103 or St Jude Hospital for Children, 262 Danny Thomas Pl, Memphis, TN 38105.