Kenneth Smith

77, of Hastings, MI passed away at home on Monday, June 25, 2018. He was born on Easter Sunday, April 13, 1941 in Pampa, Texas to the late Carlton and LaVerne (Dunham) Smith. Wayne was a graduate of Kalamazoo Central High School's class of 1959. He received his Master's degree from W.M.U. in Social Work. This led to his long career for the state of Michigan as a substance abuse auditor. Wayne was an avid reader, he loved to sit and talk, and was a true wordsmith. He loved his children and his grandchildren more than anything else in the world. He shared with them many entertaining stories, his passion for a wide range of music, his light-hearted humor, and his outlook of not taking things, "Too seriously." His laugh and easy- going manner will be sorely missed. He is remembered with love by his two children: Scott (Amy) Smith and Kimberly (Brian) Smith-Varney, both of Kalamazoo; three grandchildren: Forrest Varney, Hayden Smith, and Autumn Varney; brother: Dale (Sharon) Smith; nephew and niece: Steven (Mychelle) Smith and Heather (Ian) McKinney; former wife, Fontayne BoVee-Simpson, and many great nieces and nephews. A private Celebration of Life gathering will take place in early fall.