Thomas Lee Smiley

Thomas Lee Smiley, 82, of Waunakee, passed away at home on Tuesday, June 6, 2023, surrounded by his loving family. Born in Curtiss, WI to Leland and Eleanor (Green) Smiley on March 2, 1941, Tom attended high school in Stanley, WI and graduated from UW Madison in 1963 with a B.S. in Regional Planning.

In June 1963, Tom married Elaine A. Samuelson in Stanley, WI and was commissioned as a 2^nd Lieutenant in the MP Corps of the US Army that same year.  During his military duty he was an Executive Officer in a MP Training Company at Fort Gordon, GA. He was assigned to the 503^rd MP Battalion on temporary duty in the Dominican Republic where he received the Army Commendation Medal and the Armed Forces Expeditionary Ribbon for his service.

He began his Planning career with Green Engineering Company in Middleton in 1965 and later moved to Wisconsin Rapids where he was hired as the first Wood County Planner. After working as the Rock County Planner in Janesville for several years, he became the Director of Community Services for the Dane County Regional Planning Commission in Madison in 1973 and remained in this position working with Dane County cities, villages, and towns until his retirement in 2003.

Following Elaine’s death in 2011, Tom married Karen Hundley in December 2013.

Throughout his life he enjoyed a wide range of activities including travel, reading, camping, bird hunting, and spending time with his beloved dogs. He had a passion for horses, and lovingly cared for Blondie, Fancy, Lily, and Jasper during his life. An avid Badger and Packer fan, he instilled this sensibility into many of his family members.  Above all, family and faith always remained Tom’s top priorities with his four grandsons bringing him much joy.

He is survived by his wife, Karen Smiley, of Waunakee; his daughters Wendy (Alan) Smiley Matney of Alexandria, VA, and Deanna (Michael) Smiley Gulliford of Minneapolis, MN; his sisters Barbara (Robert) Bishop and Kathleen Krueger; his grandsons Liam and Thomas Matney, and Maxwell and Carson Gulliford; and his stepson Mike Hundley.

The funeral service will be held at Peace Lutheran Church, 701 S. Century Avenue, Waunakee, WI at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 11, with the Reverend Karen Locken presiding. Reception immediately following.  A Private burial will be at the East Side Cemetery in Stanley, WI. On Monday.

Memorials can be directed to the family for distribution to local charities.

                                                                           Winn-Cress Funeral Home

                                                                                       5785 Hwy Q

                                                                                    Waunakee, WI