Hunt Co., TX - Obits: William Hartwell Smith ***************************************************** This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb by: Sarah Swindell USGenWeb Archives. Copyright. All rights reserved http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ***************************************************** William Hartwell Smith Celeste Man Dies In Grade Crossing Accident Tuesday Not long after he had carried his wife home from a Greenville hospital Tuesday, William Hartwell Smith, thirty-four-year-old Celeste garage worker was dead, the victim of a grade crossing crash in his hometown. Smith was killed about 10:45 AM, Tuesday, when his 1936 Ford was smashed by a southbound MKT freight train at the crossing just south of the park on the southern outskirts of Celeste. He was the father of five small children. It was presumed that smith was traveling west when his light car was struck by the train. He suffered a fractured skull, his neck was probably broken and his chest was crushed. He was pronounced dead upon arrival at the same hospital from which his wife had been released earlier. State Highway Patrolmen investigated the accident an inquest was conducted by Justice of the Peace D. L. Hemsell. Highway Patrol R. M. Arnold, one of the officers who investigated the crash, said the automobile was demolished. He talked to two witnesses. Funeral services for Smith were held at 2:30 PM on Wednesday at the Celeste Baptist Church and burial was in the Dulaney Cemetery. Rev. Odie Carey of Bonham officiated for the services. Pallbearers were Jack Ruff, E. L. Hunter, C. E. Brewer, Marshall Swafford, Tom Lake, and J. T. Thompson. William Hartwell Smith was a native of Collin County and was born in the Pike community on November 27, 1917. He had lived in Hunt County a number of years first in Dulaney community and for the past nine years in Celeste where his brother employed him in the garage business. Smith was the son of B. F. Smith and Mae Bell Smith, both of whom preceded him in death. He was a member of the Baptist Church. Besides his wife, he is survived by four son, Melvin Hartwell Smith, 12; Garland Frank Smith, 9; Herman Smith, 7; Marvin Derrell Smith, 5; and one daughter, Donna Mae Smith; four brothers, L. L. smith of the Pike community; T. J. Smith of Fort Worth; Oral Smith of Celeste; and three sisters, Mrs. O. B. Duncan of Plainview; Mrs. B. E. Thompson and Mrs. A. L. Thorp of Fort Worth. A brother C. L. Smith died three years ago. (July 4, 1952, The Leonard Graphic)