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Kelly Wayne Smith
May 06, 2026
Kelly Wayne Smith, 70, of Clyde, went to be with the Lord on Friday May 1, 2026, in Abilene at Hendrick Hospice Care, surrounded by his loved ones. Visitation will be Thursday May 7, 2026, 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Bailey Howard Funeral Home of Clyde. A private burial will take place on Sunday May 10th. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.
Wayne was born on May 20, 1955, in Springfield, Missouri, to Kelly Eugene Smith and Mary Elizabeth “Wheeler” Smith. He spent his early childhood in Miller, Missouri, growing up on a farm where he developed a lifelong love for animals, ranching, and the outdoors. During his adolescent years, his family moved to Lewisville, Texas, and later to Baxter Springs, Kansas, where he graduated from high school. During those years, he discovered his passion for roping and the western way of life, interests that stayed with him throughout his life.
After high school, Wayne attended Northeastern Oklahoma, where he was a member of the NEO rodeo team. He later spent time in Welch, Oklahoma, working at the sale barn, riding pens at the feed lot and driving for Coors. Those years shaped many lifelong friendships and deepened his appreciation for hard work, cattle, horses, and the taste of the Rocky Mountains.
Wayne became a proud father to Raylynn Nair, Raymond “Chooch” Stephenson, and Mary Irons in the early 80’s. In 1981, he moved to Clyde, Texas, where he spent the rest of his life. There, he built a life centered around family, friends, animals, and hard work. He worked in the feed lot, spent years roping, and eventually began a career with Bandag, where he dedicated more than 30 years before retiring.
In 2004, Wayne married Kim Kniffen. Together they shared a deep love for animals, family gatherings, and traveling to Cloudcroft, New Mexico, a place that brought them peace and happiness.
He is survived by his loving wife, Kim Smith of Clyde, Texas; his sister, Norma Jeanne Peck of Krum, Texas; his children, Mary Irons (Brandon) of Ponder, Texas, April Harris of Clyde, Texas, Chad Perkins (Angela) of Abilene, Texas, Shane Perkins (Brittney) of Abilene, Texas, Raylynn Nair (Bobby) of Welch, Oklahoma, and Ray Stephenson of Fairland, Oklahoma; his grandchildren, Kade and Kinley Irons, Austin(Jenna), and Colton Perkins and Mason Gavin, Jaxon Harris (Carissa), Ryan Elskamp and Braelynn Harris, Garret and Aranda Nair, and Hunter and Jonas Stephenson. Two great-grandchildren; his beloved dogs, who were always close by his side; and many extended family members and friends who will miss him dearly.
He was as onery as they come, always ready with a joke or a little mischief to keep everyone on their toes. He never met a stranger, and teasing was his love language, if he was giving you a hard time you knew he cared about you. Wayne will be remembered for his unmatched sense of humor and jokes only he could appreciate, his hardworking spirit, his love for animals and the cowboy way of life, and most of all his love he had for his family.
Wayne was preceded in death by his father, Kelly Eugene Smith, his mother, Mary Elizabeth “Wheeler” Smith and two grandchildren, Tylan and Raven Stephenson
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Clyde Animal Shelter in Wayne’s memory
Online condolences may be made at https://www.bailey-howardfuneralhome.com.
Wayne was born on May 20, 1955, in Springfield, Missouri, to Kelly Eugene Smith and Mary Elizabeth “Wheeler” Smith. He spent his early childhood in Miller, Missouri, growing up on a farm where he developed a lifelong love for animals, ranching, and the outdoors. During his adolescent years, his family moved to Lewisville, Texas, and later to Baxter Springs, Kansas, where he graduated from high school. During those years, he discovered his passion for roping and the western way of life, interests that stayed with him throughout his life.
After high school, Wayne attended Northeastern Oklahoma, where he was a member of the NEO rodeo team. He later spent time in Welch, Oklahoma, working at the sale barn, riding pens at the feed lot and driving for Coors. Those years shaped many lifelong friendships and deepened his appreciation for hard work, cattle, horses, and the taste of the Rocky Mountains.
Wayne became a proud father to Raylynn Nair, Raymond “Chooch” Stephenson, and Mary Irons in the early 80’s. In 1981, he moved to Clyde, Texas, where he spent the rest of his life. There, he built a life centered around family, friends, animals, and hard work. He worked in the feed lot, spent years roping, and eventually began a career with Bandag, where he dedicated more than 30 years before retiring.
In 2004, Wayne married Kim Kniffen. Together they shared a deep love for animals, family gatherings, and traveling to Cloudcroft, New Mexico, a place that brought them peace and happiness.
He is survived by his loving wife, Kim Smith of Clyde, Texas; his sister, Norma Jeanne Peck of Krum, Texas; his children, Mary Irons (Brandon) of Ponder, Texas, April Harris of Clyde, Texas, Chad Perkins (Angela) of Abilene, Texas, Shane Perkins (Brittney) of Abilene, Texas, Raylynn Nair (Bobby) of Welch, Oklahoma, and Ray Stephenson of Fairland, Oklahoma; his grandchildren, Kade and Kinley Irons, Austin(Jenna), and Colton Perkins and Mason Gavin, Jaxon Harris (Carissa), Ryan Elskamp and Braelynn Harris, Garret and Aranda Nair, and Hunter and Jonas Stephenson. Two great-grandchildren; his beloved dogs, who were always close by his side; and many extended family members and friends who will miss him dearly.
He was as onery as they come, always ready with a joke or a little mischief to keep everyone on their toes. He never met a stranger, and teasing was his love language, if he was giving you a hard time you knew he cared about you. Wayne will be remembered for his unmatched sense of humor and jokes only he could appreciate, his hardworking spirit, his love for animals and the cowboy way of life, and most of all his love he had for his family.
Wayne was preceded in death by his father, Kelly Eugene Smith, his mother, Mary Elizabeth “Wheeler” Smith and two grandchildren, Tylan and Raven Stephenson
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Clyde Animal Shelter in Wayne’s memory
Online condolences may be made at https://www.bailey-howardfuneralhome.com.
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