Lt. Col. William Cody Smith, (ret.) USAF

Athens - Lieutenant Colonel Wm. Cody Smith, USAF (Ret.), 79, died on August 8, 2011.
Lt. Col. Smith was the son of the late Abijah Lutie Smith and Florence Cummings Smith. He was born on March 26, 1932, in Oglethorpe County, but lived in Athens almost all of his life.
In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his wife, Janette Martin Smith, and sisters, Patsy Ruth Smith and Sarah Smith Brewer.
Lt. Col. Smith is survived by his sons and daughters-in-law, Colonel Wm. Cody Jr. and Julie Smith, of Honolulu, Hawaii, and Boyd and Linda Smith, of Athens, and his grandchildren, Trevor, Chase, Karalee, and Jeremiah.
Lt. Col. Smith was a 1949 graduate of Athens High School and afterward served in the U.S. Air Force as a radio operator throughout the Korean conflict, until 1952.
He graduated from the University of Georgia in 1956, where he also completed his Air Force ROTC training. He then began his career as an independent insurance adjuster, eventually opening Smith & Company Insurance Adjusters. At that time, he also entered the U.S. Air Force Reserve as a 2nd Lieutenant. Lt. Col. Smith served in the USAF and Reserve for a total of 38 years. He was a decorated veteran and served in many capacities, one of which was as Liaison Officer to the U.S. Air Force Academy.
Lt. Col. Smith was very active in the Athens community, having been involved with many organizations and holding various leadership positions with the following: Athens Jaycees, Elks Club, Athens Boys Club, Athens YMCA, American Legion Post 185, 40 & 8, AMVETS, Moose Lodge, and others. He served on the Clarke County Grand Jury, and ran for Athens City Council as well as Clarke County Commissioner.
Lt. Col. Smith loved politics and found great joy in that process. He was actively involved with the election campaigns of President and Governor Jimmy Carter, Sen. Sam Nunn, Sen. Richard B. Russell, State Sen. Paul Broun, and many others. He recently published his book, entitled "The Peanut President and Me," recounting his relationship with the Carters through Jimmy Carter's rise to the Presidency.
Lt. Col. Smith lived a rich life and indulged in the pleasures he so enjoyed. He particularly loved the water, whether it be Lake Hartwell or the ocean. He traveled extensively by plane, train, ship, and automobile, and never tired of these adventures. He loved to spend time with family and friends and was generally the life of the party. He was also a deeply spiritual man, and found God in the majesty of all His creations.
The family will receive visitors from 6-8 p.m. on Friday, August 12, at the funeral home.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, August 13, at the funeral home chapel, followed by a graveside service at Evergreen Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Lt. Col. Smith's name to the Air Force Aid Society at www.afas.org.