Green Willard Smelser, Jr.

Green Willard Smelser, Jr - 76, of Sandston Virginia died on January 3, 2022. Green (yes, Facebook – that is a real name!) was born on September 25, 1945, in Wytheville, Virginia to Green Willard Smelser, Sr and Pearl Bethel (Childress), both deceased. Green was the second of six siblings who called him “Ducky” - Phyllis Pauline (deceased), George Thomas (deceased), Robert Daniel “Danny” (married to Susan) of Lynchburg Virginia, Nelly Margaret “Margie” (married to Roey Price) of Bristol Tennessee, and Mason Alan (deceased). Green Sr passed away when the children were young, and Green and most of his siblings went to the Odd Fellows Home in Lynchburg Virginia. Green built lifelong friendships, lasting memories, and a wealth of stories of boyhood shenanigans from this time. When he was 17, Green enlisted in the US Army and served his country honorably in the Vietnam War, where he worked with artillery as a supply clerk. Upon his return to America, Green stayed with several of his siblings before settling in the Richmond area and picked up carpentry work. Settling may be a strong word for Green who was somewhat of a rolling stone in his youth, living with no fear and finding joy in everything this world had to offer. Many who knew Green well said he was like a cat who had nine lives, with the way he always managed to come back from the edge of some scheme, the way he pushed the envelope, and for all his body endured, from war to many bouts of illness. Green lived his life with the mantra that “I’m not here for a long time; I’m here for a good time”.  Green never met a stranger - he knew everyone and could make a friend wherever he went, with his infectious laughter and witty storytelling. Without a doubt, Green was so proud of his daughters, Kelly Renee (married to Ryan Cowles) of Quinton, Virginia, and Taylor Nichole Smelser of Henrico, Virginia. Both daughters recall him being very passionate about history, often taking them to museums and historic Jamestown. Green was also a doting granddad to Camden, Avery, Tegan and Brayden, and never missed a birthday or sporting event. Green had several nieces and nephews whom he loved and enjoyed spending time with. If you knew Green, then you know that Friday nights were for bowling. Green was a United States Bowling Congress (USBC) member and Richmond Hall of Fame bowler, traveling across the country, including Las Vegas, for tournaments. Green was also a proud member of the Richmond Elks Lodge, where he made a lot of his dearest friends. The time and location for a memorial celebration of life for Green is to be determined. If you are interested in further information, please email greencelebrationoflife@gmail.com.

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