Deaths

• Hill, Lester
• Smith, George Jr.

Hill, Lester

THOREAU — Funeral services for Lester Ray Hill, 24, will be 10 a.m., Friday, July 25, at the First Baptist Church, Thoreau. Bob Brittian will officiate. Private disposition will be in the family plot, Coolidge.

Hill died July 20, 2008, in Thoreau. He was born Dec. 20, 1983, in Gallup, into the Zia People Clan for the Two Who Came to the Water People Clan.
Hill attended Thoreau Elementary, Mid and High School. He did construction work as a carpenter for Quality Gordon Const. for over two years. Hill also worked with Gregory and Cook Construction in Gallup. He was a true fan of Dallas Cowboys, loved to go hunting, fishing, horse back riding and spending time with his daughter. Hill was very athletic. He played basketball, football and ran cross country in high school.

Survivors include his daughter, Ashley Hill; parents, Les and Audrey Hill of Thoreau; brothers, Mark Hill, Daniel Hill of Thoreau; sisters, Amanda Charley of Gallup, Candace Sanders of San Diego, Calif., Crystal Jim of Thoreau.

Hill was preceded in death by his grandmother, Doris Long; grandfather, Mark Hill.

Pallbearers will be Mark Hill, Daniel Hill, John Martinez, Marcus Sanders, Gabriel Gaddy, Lorenzo Hill.

The family will receive relatives and friends at Hill’s residence in Thoreau, following services.
Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Smith, George Jr.

TOHLAKAI — Funeral services for George Tony Smith Jr., 65, will be 10 a.m., Friday, July 25, at the Gallup Christian Center. The Rev. Artie Aragon will officiate. Burial will be in Tohatchi Community Cemetery.

Smith died July 20, 2008, in Albuquerque. He was born July 7, 1943, in Tohlakai, into the Meadow People Clan for the Salt Water People Clan.
Smith attended school in Shimawah, Oreg. He worked in various places such as T & R Market, Ramah, as a watchman. He was also self-employed as a silversmith and carpenter. Smith served in the Army and received a Purple Heart honor.

Survivors include his son, Jasper Tony Smith of Albuquerque; daughters, Sharon Smith of Craig, Colo., Shirlene Martinez of Gallup; sisters, Alice S. Johnson of Tohlakai, Helen S. Livingston of Tohlakai; eight grandchildren; three great-grandchildren.

Smith was preceded in death by his parents, George Smith Sr., Mary Tso Smith; brothers, Shirley, Juan, Arthur; sisters, Ariel Hood and Ruth Gladys Smith.

The family will receive relatives and friends at Twin Lakes Chapter House, following services.
Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.