Moylan "Mo" Smith

Moylan “Mo” Smith was born on April 28, 1918, in Philadelphia, Pa. to George and Emma Smith. He liked to tell about his early years that were spent in a private school atmosphere.

College was cut short because of the mandatory draft, and he decided to join a newly-formed National Guard unit. The Unit was two weeks from fulfilling its one-year commitment when the war broke out.

Mo finished training in the Army Air Corps as a B-17 bomber pilot. He and his crew became part of the 390th Bomber Group attached to the 8th Air Force. Mo served in 30 missions and returned to the States and was discharged in July 1945.

Mo was an insurance executive for 30 years for The Insurance Company of North America. The company transferred him to Minneapolis, Minn. in 1964 where he became regional manager of the insurance company.

While in Minneapolis he met his future wife, who was also his secretary, Maggie Twistol, from McGregor, Minn. They married in 1968.

In 1976, they moved to Fountain Hills. Mo was interested in the growth of Fountain Hills and our country’s involvement in world affairs. He enjoyed many sports — tennis, golf, and all spectator sports.

Mo was the oldest and longest attending member of Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church and sang in the choir. He was also a member of the VFW and The Men’s Club.

Mo died on Nov. 9, 2015, at Fountain View Village.

Survivors include his wife, Maggie; son, Cliff (Rowana) of San Francisco, Calif.; and daughter, Linda Wheaton of Philadelphia, Pa. Also surviving is his sister-in-law Mary (Buzz) Law and brother-in-law Alan Twistol; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Doris Warner.

Services for Mo will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 24, at 11 a.m. at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church located on the corner of El Lago and Fountain Hills boulevards.

Inurnment will be at the church columbarium following the service. Memorials may be given to Shepherd of the Hills.