Wendell Smith

Chef Wendell Smith, age 70, and a resident of Gulfport, passed away on September 26, 2017 at his home.
Chef Smith joined the US Navy in the mid 1960's where he served with the Seabees as well as the fleet. He served as a cook and later earned the title of Chef. He retired in 1984 and further pursued his love for culinary arts, earning a Bachelor's Degree at the University of Southern Mississippi. He taught culinary arts at MGCCC for 20 years. In 2005 he won the People's Choice Award at the annual Culinary Competition and was selected as Chef of the Year in 2004 by the American Culinary Foundation. He was involved with Chefs of the Coast, The Mississippi Restaurant Association, and served as judge for culinary contests across the coast, including the casinos.
His favorite hobbies were cooking and woodturning.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Annie Mae Smith.
He is survived by his loving wife of 47 years, Keiko Smith of Gulfport; his children, Minako Hall (Gary) of Fayetteville, NC, Paul L. Smith (Amanda) of Walland, TN, William E. Smith (Theresa) of Mooresville, NC; four grandchildren, Samuel Hall, Keilynn Smith, Elysia Smith, Noah Smith; six brothers, Lavon Smith, Wayne Smith, Jerry Smith, Larry Smith, Dennis Carl Smith, and Timothy Smith; three sisters, Sarah Harlow, Martha Anderson, and Lucille Harris and their spouses; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A visitation for family and friends will be held on Friday, September 29, 2017 from 9-11 AM at RIEMANN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 274 Beauvoir Road, Biloxi. Funeral services will be held at 11 AM in the funeral home chapel. A Celebration of Life Reception will be held at 12 PM at the funeral home reception center.
A graveside service with military honors will be held on Monday, October 2, 2017 at 10 AM at Biloxi National Cemetery, 400 Veterans Ave. Biloxi, MS.
An online obituary can be viewed and tributes offered to the family at www.riemannfamily.com