William “Dale” Smeltzer
August 7, 1938 – February 28, 2025
We are deeply saddened to share that Dale passed away at home with his wife and daughter by his side on February 28, 2025. Dale brought joy, laughter, and love to many who encountered him.
Dale was born on the family farm in Amulet Saskatchewan, Canada to William “Borden” Smeltzer and Faye (Kennedy) Smeltzer. They immigrated to Cottage Grove, Oregon where he graduated from high school. He then went on to serve in the Air Force from October 1957 to July 1961.
He met the “love of his life” Georgia in Springfield, Oregon when he accepted an invitation to meet a friend for a burger and a beer. He said “that was the best burger and beer he ever had.” They married in June of 1972. He and Georgia celebrated 52 years of marriage.
They had various moves throughout those years due to his job as an electrician. They spent several years in Eugene, Oregon, Northern California, Brownsville, Oregon, Rainier, Oregon, Conrad, Montana – where they lived for 20 years, and then to Sweet Home, Oregon in 2024 to be close to family. They spent several winters in Quartzite, Arizona where they met many friends and enjoyed hosting margarita parties for the snowbirds at KOFA Mountain that wintered along with them.
Dale enjoyed woodworking, reading, studying the bible, and tinkering with anything he could get his hands on.
Dale is survived by his family: his loving wife, Georgia Smeltzer, who then passed away nine days after the loss of her husband; children: Gary Smeltzer and his wife Raquel of Hillsboro, John Smeltzer of Beaverton, Kristi Walker and her husband Donny of Sweet Home and Brian Richardson Smeltzer of Honolulu, Hawaii; grandchildren: Tristan Smeltzer, Taylor Milburn, Kylan Walker, Kami Otta, Kelsi Hepler, Kaeson Walker, Brendan Richardson, Yumeno Richardson; six great grandchildren; brothers; Paul Smeltzer of Klamath Falls, Reid Smeltzer of St. George, Utah. He also had many close friends and family who cherished their bond. He was preceded in death by both of his parents.
A celebration of life for both Dale and Georgia will be in Conrad Montana in early June. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that the donations be made to Samaritan Evergreen Hospice in Dale’s memory. Sweet Home Funeral Chapel is handling arrangements, www.sweethomefuneral.com.