Essel Lee Smith January 16, 1948 - January 12, 2021 Kennewick - Essel, 72, passed away Tuesday January 12, 2021. He was born in Vanport, Oregon to Essel Le Moyne and Opal Ruth Smith on January 16, 1948. He was raised in Finley and graduated from River View high school. After graduating Essel went into the Unites States Army and served from October of 1966 to September of 1969 and then at that time attended Columbia Basin College and earned an associate's degree in electronics. Essel married the love of his life, Beverly Mitchel, in Kennewick on December 30, 1970. Essel and Beverly have been married for 50 years and shared two children. He was employed as a technician in the electronics industry retiring in 2014 after working for 57 years in his field. He worked running the family business, Smitty's T for 50 years and at UniWest until he retired. Essel has lived in his Finley home for over 42 years where he and Bev raised their two children. His hobbies include his love for tinkering and repairing things, going to scrap yards, his animals, spending time at the cabin, hunting, fishing, motor sports, enjoying time with his family and especially grandchildren. Essel was preceded in death by his grandmother: Florence Tedford; his father: Essel Le Moyne Smith; and his younger brother William "Bill" Smith. He is survived by his mother: Opal Smith; his wife: Beverly Anne Smith; his children: Nick Smith (Tabitha) and Shona Smith-Sailor; siblings; Sue (Hugh) Harris of Henderson, Nevada; Gerald (Terri) Smith of Gig Harbor, Washington; his grandchildren: Justin (Kayla) Smith; Austin Smith; Jonathan (Cassidy) Sailor all of Kennewick, Washington. In lieu of flowers please send donations to the Muscular Dystrophy Association at mda.donordrive.com. Services will be held at Hillcrest Funeral Home in Kennewick, Washington on Thursday January 21, 2021 at 6:00 pm. Serving the family, Hillcrest Funerals, Kennewick. Services can also be viewed via zoom.