WILMINGTON — Major Aaron Christopher Smithley, age 43, died on Tuesday, Oct. 18 2016. Aaron was born on Jan. 30, 1973, to Lance R. Smithley and Kathy Hamill of Wichita Falls, Texas.
Aaron served in the United State Marine Corps for over 20 years. He was the recipient of two awards for Valor. His highest award being the Bronze Star with “V” Device award for heroic service in connection with Operations while serving as Executive Officer for Company C, 2nd Tank Battalion, RCT 1, 1st Marine Division in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom II.
He is survived by his parents, a stepfather; Kelly Moore of New Stanton, Penn.; his wife-separated, Michaela Reyes Smithley; three daughters, Mia Jo, Isabella and Vivienna; two sons, Zachary and Gavin, all of Wilmington, N.C.; a sister, Bethany Lucianio of Hartstown, Penn.; two brothers: Brett Charles Smithley of Palmdale, Calif., and Lee Smithley of Bremerton, Wash.; his maternal grandmother, Jo Hamill of Ligonier, Penn.; and stepmother, Wanda Smithley of Fredonia, Penn.
A visitation will be held from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 21, 2016, at Coble Ward-Smith Funeral Service and from 4 p.m. until 5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 22 ,at Coble Ward-Smith. A Funeral Service will be held following the visitation at 5 p.m. at Coble Ward-Smith with Chaplain Jonathan Jones, LT CHC USN.
In lieu flowers memorials may be made in memory of Major Aaron C. Smithley to the Semper Fi Fund.