St. George, Utah – Verl Robert Smith, 88, passed away November 18, 2023. He was born August 20, 1935, in Pocatello, Idaho to Joseph and Verda Smith.

Verl spent his youth in Idaho. At a young age he started working for the Railroad before enlisting in the U.S. Air Force in 1954. He was stationed in Arizona, then Alaska and discharged in 1957. In 1958 he chose to serve a mission for the LDS church. For the next 10 years he worked at Steel Door and Coca-Cola in Youngstown, Ohio before becoming a Police Officer in Henderson, Nevada in 1970. With hard work and a strong work ethic he quickly rose to the rank of Sergeant. He attended UNLV in addition to working full time for the Henderson Police Department. He graduated from UNLV in 1977 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice. A natural leader, with unyielding dedication, he served the community for 25 years from 1970 to 1995 before retiring. His hobbies included gun smithing, coin collecting, family outings and reading.

Verl was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served as a Counselor in the High Priest Group Presidency, Ministering Teacher, Blessing coordinator for Intermountain Hospice, Stake Missionary, and Gospel Doctrine Teacher.

In 2003 Verl married Charlotte Bridge in the St. George Temple. They started their family with 18 children.

Verl is survived by his wife, Charlotte; sons: Verl Smith, Jr., Joseph (Lisa) Smith, Calvin Smith, Blake Hillstead, Robert (Sheryl) Hillstead, Kip (Charmaine) Hillstead, Brian (Cindy) Hillstead, Robert (Kathleen) Workman, and James (Rochelle) Workman; daughters: Elena Lehman, Maralee (Brad) Bowler, Carla (Jim) Rowson, Deanna (Bernie) Spoerri, Bonnie (Vern) Pollock, Tami (Darin) Jones and Deanna (Mike) Willemesz; siblings: Norman Smith and Marsden Vincent "MV" (Linda) Smith; and 46 grandchildren and 41 great-grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Verda Smith; and siblings: Glen Smith, Ronald Smith and Sharel Radford.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, December 2, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. in the Foremaster Ridge Ward Chapel, 912 South 1740 East, St. George, Utah. Visitation will be held Friday evening from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00p.m. at Metcalf Mortuary, 288 West St. George Blvd. and on Saturday, prior to services, from 9:00 a.m. to 9:45 a.m.at the church. Interment with Military Honors will follow at Tonaquint Cemetery, 1777 South Dixie Drive, St. George, Utah.

For those unable to attend, services will be livestreamed at the following link:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXsjMHhX_6iTY1fTv4t4Ve7x0L6rS-J63 .

Verl Smith Funeral Service Program