Wesley Nelson Smith, 53, of Ona, WV, left this world unexpectedly on October 11, 2024.
Wes, born in Huntington WV on October 22, 1970, was preceded in death by his mother, Judith Skeens Cavendish, and stepbrother Dale Kirk.
He is survived by his father, Nelson Smith, stepmother Marie Smith, daughters Jessica and Abigail Smith and their mother Tina Toler Smith, fiancée Jennifer Peters and her sons Gage Bailey and Miles Harrison, sister Wendy Smith Wilson, brother Tyler Cavendish, stepsister Marisa Miller and her daughters Meagan Chisler and Rachael Miller, and a host of other family members and friends who adored him.
Wes was a lifelong resident of Cabell County, WV. He graduated from Barboursville High School in 1989 and worked for Air Systems Sheet Metal, Inc. for nearly 40 years.
Wes’s first vehicle was a New Holland lawn tractor with a yellow safety light mounted on the hood; subsequently, all his rides got faster (and more expensive). He was a tremendous fan of NASCAR and began his racing career with 3R Racing, fabricating racecar bodies and building engines.
In 2021 he got behind the wheel of his own car for the first time, beginning a successful driving career and winning multiple races at his home track, Ona Speedway.
Wes was loved and respected by all who knew him and was the best girl dad in the world. He will be sorely missed and forever cherished.
A Celebration of Life will be conducted at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, October 17, 2024 at the Wallace Funeral Home & Chapel, Barboursville. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. prior to the service. Burial will be in Friendly Cemetery, Friendly, WV.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Little Victories Animal Rescue in Cabell County, West Virginia.
Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.timeformemory.com/wallace.
