Wayne Skeen Smith, 77, of Austin, TX, passed away on May 30th, 2023. He was born on October 3rd, 1945 in Winnsboro, Texas to Henry Lee and Adalie Smith. Wayne is survived by his sister, Annita Thompson, his former wife, Barbara Brown, and their children, Roman Smith (Jenny) and Ada McCloud (Brent), as well as his four grandchildren; Andrew, Audrey, Ava, and Peyton.

Wayne served in the United States Army and completed his basic training at Ft. Polk, Louisiana and advanced training at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas. He completed his service at Fort Hood in the motor pool and was honorably discharged from the Army in 1967. After his military service, Wayne worked in the Security Department at East Texas State University from 1968-1974. He developed the Fire Safety & Emergency System in his last years at ETSU, which led to his recruitment to the State Fire Marshal's office in 1975. During his career, Wayne pioneered sprinkler-systems and fire safety within the Texas Prison system. He retired in 2009 as the Director of Inspections and Advisor to the State Fire Marshal's office.

Wayne will be remembered for his generosity, friendship, straight-forward manner, and being a Texan down to his pointed-toe, black cowboy boots.  A gathering will be held in the Brazos and Colorado community rooms at Cedar Park Recreation Center on Friday, June 23rd from 1-3 pm to celebrate Wayne's life.

In lieu of flowers, charitable donations can be made in Wayne's honor to his granddaughter Peyton's Children's Organ Transplant Association Fund at: https://cota.org/campaigns/COTAforPeytonS or to the ALYSSA'S WORLD CHANGERS FUND - The Alyssa Ferguson World Changers Fund at: https://alyssasfund.com/