of North Little Rock, AR

September 11, 1941 - August 30, 2023

Leslie R. Smith, 81, of North Little Rock, Arkansas died peacefully in his sleep on Wednesday, August 30, 2023 surrounded by family. He was born on September 11, 1941 in Franklin, Indiana to the late Otto and Hazel Marie Smith.

Les was raised on a farm and graduated from Franklin High School Class of 1960. Les joined the United States Army right out of high school, where he made officer and became a pilot. He ended his military career in 1967 after serving in Vietnam. After leaving the US Army, he worked at Cummins Diesel for a short period and then moved to Connecticut, where he worked at Combustion Engineering as a corporate pilot for 23 years. In 1990, Les moved the family to Arkansas to work as a production test pilot at Dassault Falcon Jet and retired in 2010. From 2010 to 2014, Les worked as a contract pilot for Whiteco Industries, when he retired permanently to spend the rest of his days with his lovely wife, Wanda. His favorite things were reading, home improvement projects and joke telling. Les always had a joke ready just for you.

Leslie is survived by his wife of 57 years, Wanda M. Lyon Smith; sons, Leslie R. Smith II, Anthony J. Smith and Timothy W. Smith (Bridgett); grandchildren, Justin Evans, Darren Smith, Brooke Smith, Kaitlyn Smith, Linwood Smith, Christian Smith and Shelby Smith; great-grandchildren, Perry Rohden and Adelayde Tally; niece, Ann DeMoss (Ken) and extended family.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Otto and Hazel Marie Smith; brothers, Otto Smith Jr. and Walter Smith and sister, Betty (Smith) Cox.

Memorial services will be held on Friday, September 15th at 12:00 P.M. at Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery in North Little Rock.

Obituary Provided By:
Roller-Owens Funeral Home
5509 John F. Kennedy Blvd.
North Little Rock, AR  72116
www.rollerfuneralhomes.com