Walter E. Smith Dies at Age 86; Leaves Legacy as Skilled Problem-Solver

Walter E. Smith passed away on August 7th, 2026 at the age of 86 while a patient at Valley West Hospital in Sandwich, Illinois.

He was married to Sara Ella (Galey) Smith for over 66 years and spent winters with her in The Villages, Florida, where they enjoyed sunshine and friends. They returned each summer to Sandwich and Somonauk, Illinois.

Walter had a remarkable ability to fix anything, often with creativity and an instinctive understanding of how things worked. He was also a skilled woodworker and musician who loved listening to records, cassette tapes, and CDs.

He spent nearly four decades working at Caterpillar Tractor Company before retiring in 1998.