William J. “Bill” Smith, the son of Harold Burdette and Katherine Gertrude (Bain) Smith, was born July 5, 1933, in Tarkio, Missouri. He attended Rock Port High School, Rock Port, Missouri, graduating in 1951.
On August 7, 1952, Bill entered the United States Air Force, serving his country during two wars as an Aircraft Radio Operator and In-Flight Refueling Boom Operator. On August 31, 1978, he received his honorable discharge after serving for over 26 years.
On December 27, 1953, Bill was united in marriage to Martha Adams at the Church of Christ in Hamburg, Iowa. Because of Bill’s military service, they lived in numerous locations and became the parents of four children, Terri, William J. “Jerry,” Steven, and David.
Following Bill’s military service in 1978, they returned to Rock Port. Bill was employed as carpenter for Burke & Sons Lumber Company, Rock Port, for 14 years then Pleasant View Nursing Home, Rock Port, in maintenance. He also served as the Greenhill Cemetery Sexton, devoting many hours to its maintenance.
Bill was a member of the Rock Port Baptist Church, serving as a Deacon and on the Property Committee. He was also a member of the Ralph Greer American Legion Post #49, Rock Port. Bill passed away Monday, February 6, 2023, at Village Care Center, Maryville, Missouri, at the age of 89.
Besides his parents, Bill was preceded in death by two sons, Jerry and Steve Smith; and sister and brother-in-law, Barb and Duane Deatz. Survivors include wife, Martha Smith, Maryville; children, Terri (Bob) Phillips, Maryville, and David (Christine) Smith, Norwood Young America, Minnesota; grandchildren, Chris (Robbie) Phillips and Denise Phillips, all of Maryville, R. David Gavert and Alexander Smith, both of Norwood Young America, and Zachary Smith, St. Cloud, Minnesota; three great-grandchildren, Cameron, Carter, and Phoenix Phillips; sister-in-law, Anna Wolf, Rock Port; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A funeral service was held Saturday, February 11, 2023, at Rock Port Baptist Church, Rock Port, conducted by Pastor Richard Boettner. Interment was at Greenhill Cemetery, Rock Port. Military rites were under the auspices of Ralph Greer American Legion Post #49, Rock Port. Memorials may be directed to Greenhill Cemetery, Rock Port, or Village Care Center, Maryville, Missouri. Online condolences may be left at www.minterfuneralchapels.com. Services were under the direction of Minter Funeral Chapel, Rock Port.
