William E. "Bill" Smith

William E. “Bill” Smith, 75, died Saturday, April 2, 2011, at Mercy Hospital. He was born December 28, 1935, to William and Luda Smith in Odessa, Missouri.

Bill graduated from College High School in Warrensburg, Missouri and served in the U.S. Army. He drove for Greyhound, then was a driver with Jefferson Bus Lines for 30 years, followed by Contract Carriers and retired from Mercy Hospital where he drove the shuttle bus for five years. Bill received the Safety Award for driving 1 million miles without incident. He was a member of Southgate Masonic Lodge #657 and was a lifetime member of AmVets. Bill enjoyed fishing, gardening and watching his favorite NASCAR driver Carl Edwards.

Bill is survived by his wife of 24 years, Polly Smith; children, Brenda (Mark) Vannausdle, Stephen (Lisa) Smith and Brian Smith; step-children, Clifford (Gina) King, David King, Sharon King, Mary King and Daryl King; 20 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; sisters, Willa Dean Ellis and Lorna Tye; brother-in-law, Bob Geddes; best friend, Lew (Jan) Lamb; and his best dog, Freddy. He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Bonnie Geddes; and brothers-in-law, Gerald Ellis and Jim Tye.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Thursday, April 7, 2011, at Hamilton’s Funeral Home, 605 Lyon Street, followed by burial at Glendale Cemetery. Visitation will be held Wednesday from 12 to 8 p.m., with the family present from 5 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to AmVets, 2818 5th Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa 50313

Online condolences may be made to:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

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