Thomas Wayne Smith, age 77 of Carlyle, passed away at his home on Wednesday, October 2, 2024.
Thomas, known as Wally to most, was an eccentric man striving to live a life of simplicity. He was a passionate environmentalist, an ardent pacifist, and lived to explore the wonder of Nature and Art. He was a soft-spoken and kind man to all who met him. He was also a dedicated father raising and edifying seven children.
He was born in Belleville, Illinois on July 7th, 1947 to Richard and Helen Smith. After a brief time in Idaho, the family returned to Fairview Heights where he spent the majority of his childhood, and attended Assumption High School in East St. Louis. Following high school he proceeded to study Mathematics at Saint Louis University for two years before being swept away in the 1960s counterculture movements. He became enamored with the counterculture’s music, traveling for a time to see the legendary, psychedelic, jam-fueled Grateful Dead shows. He became enamored with the counterculture’s philosophical and spiritual openness. And, he became enamored with alternative lifestyles popularized in the counterculture adopting vegetarianism, environmentalism, and pacifism. He also became an incorrigible health nut promoting the virtue of raw fruits and vegetables.
Eventually, he made his way back home and again took up college education, this time studying Mass Media at SIU Edwardsville. It was there that he met Jean Nosbisch, and the two fell for each other. The couple raised seven children over the years, where in conforming to the nonconformity of the counterculture, Wally was the primary caretaker and Jean was the primary breadwinner of the house. Wally homeschooled some of the children for a time and taught them all to value nature, art, health, and kindness. The children excelled at sports and school, art and music, no doubt owing to some degree the encouragement and values he instilled in them growing up. He was always putting energy into enabling his kids to explore their passions and develop their skills. In 1998, he was foundational in establishing the youth soccer program in Carlyle to enable his, and all, children to enjoy his favorite sport. He himself played in high school and college, and was able to eventually help establish a high school team for the younger three children to have the same experience.
In his twilight years, he continued his pursuit of environmentalism by personally working to recycle and clean up litter around Carlyle. He also continued his passion for Nature by enjoying walks in the outdoor beauty around Carlyle Lake and Hazlet State Park. He lived independently and minimally, placing more value on experiences than material possessions. And he continued to explore his passion for film. He must have rented every single movie in the entire catalog available throughout the Case Halstead Library System.
He is survived by three siblings: Rich, Pat, and Anne, seven children scattered across the country: Ben, Cedar, Brocca, Damia, Matthias, Hope, and Spencer, and nine full and step-grandchildren: Ami, Alex, Ava, Harper, Henry, Aila, Cora, Lila, and Hazel. He was preceded in death by his father Wayne, mother Helen, and sister Gail. In the end, he passed quietly and peacefully in his home; may he find that his peace is eternal.
A visitation will be held at Zieren Funeral Home, 1111 Clinton Street, Carlyle, IL 62231, on Friday, October 11, 2024, from 4:00 – 7:00 PM.
