Verl Robert Smith, 88, passed away Nov. 18, 2023. He was born Aug. 20, 1935, in Pocatello, Idaho, to Joseph and Verda Smith.
Verl spent his youth in Idaho. At a young age he started working for the Railroad before enlisting in the U.S. Air Force in 1954. He was stationed in Arizona, then Alaska and discharged in 1957. In 1958 he chose to serve a mission for the LDS church. For the next 10 years he worked at Steel Door and Coca-Cola in Youngstown, Ohio, before becoming a police officer in Henderson, Nevada, in 1970. With hard work and a strong work ethic, he quickly rose to the rank of sergeant.
He attended UNLV in addition to working full-time for the Henderson Police Department. He graduated from UNLV in 1977 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice. A natural leader, with unyielding dedication, he served the community for 25 years from 1970-95 before retiring. His hobbies included gun smithing, coin collecting, family outings and reading.
Verl was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served as a counselor in the High Priest Group Presidency, ministering teacher, blessing coordinator for Intermountain Hospice, stake missionary, and gospel doctrine teacher.
In 2003 Verl married Charlotte Bridge in the St. George Temple. They started their family with 18 children.
Verl is survived by his wife Charlotte; sons Verl Smith, Jr., Joseph (Lisa) Smith, Calvin Smith, Blake Hillstead, Robert (Sheryl) Hillstead, Kip (Charmaine) Hillstead, Brian (Cindy) Hillstead, Robert (Kathleen) Workman and James (Rochelle) Workman; daughters Elena Lehman, Maralee (Brad) Bowler, Carla (Jim) Rowson, Deanna (Bernie) Spoerri, Bonnie (Vern) Pollock, Tami (Darin) Jones and Deanna (Mike) Willemesz; siblings Norman Smith and Marsden Vincent “MV” (Linda) Smith; 46 grandchildren and 41 great-grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his parents Joseph and Verda Smith and siblings Glen Smith, Ronald Smith and Sharel Radford.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, Dec. 2, at 10 a.m. in the Foremaster Ridge Ward Chapel, 912 South 1740 East, St. George, Utah. Visitation will be held Friday from 5-7 p.m. at Metcalf Mortuary, 288 West St. George Blvd., and on Saturday, prior to services, from 9-9:45 a.m. at the church. Interment with Military Honors will follow at Tonaquint Cemetery, 1777 South Dixie Drive, St. George, Utah.
Those unable to attend are invited to click here to livestream services.
Arrangements are under the care of Metcalf Mortuary, (435) 673-4221. Visit the Metcalf Mortuary website for condolences, complete obituary and funeral listings.