John Willard Smith Obituary

We are sad to announce that, on May 13, 2026, at the age of 98, John Willard Smith (Portales, New Mexico) passed away. Leave a sympathy message to the family on the memorial page of John Willard Smith to pay them a last tribute.

He was predeceased by: his father Leonard Goff; his mother-in-law Reta Goff; and his siblings, Charles Smith, Joe Smith, Leslie Smith, Inez Jones, Lear V Smith, Essie Lightfoot and Esther Haun.

He is survived by: his caregivers, Irene, Ruth, Dee, Shanelle and Ezzie; his wife Nelva Goff; his daughter Diane Kretschmer; his son-in-law Joe Kretschmer of Lubbock; his son Greg Smith of Elida; his grandchildren, Bailey Kretschmer and Dalton Kretschmer of Lubbock; Reba Luce of Sallisaw, Oklahoma., Lundy and Jaime Kinder. He is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews and cousins and friends.

He was preceeded in death by his parents and his mother-in-law and father-in-law Leonard and Reta Goff, brothers Charles Smith (died in 1918 flu pandemic), Joe Smith, Leslie Smith and sisters Inez Jones, Lear V Smith (died in 1918 flu pandemic), Essie Lightfoot and Esther Haun.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to your favorite charity.