William A. Smith, 100, passed away Wednesday morning, May 10, 2023 at the Jefferson Gardens Senior Living facility in Clinton, Mo. He was born April 20, 1923, the son of John Franklin Smith and Lydia (Sites) Smith at the family home west of Blairstown, Mo.
William attended Bunker Hill, a one room grade school, and graduated from Urich High School in 1941. Following graduation he went to the state of Oregon to work. His grandpa Sites died so William came back home. He joined the United States Army Air Corp, where he served four years. On May 6, 1944 he married Mary Elizabeth Mendenhall in Clinton, Mo., and to this union Stephen and Karen were born. They farmed west of Creighton, including sheep, cattle and hogs, for eight years then moved east of Urich to the Benella farm, where they lived until Elizabeth’s passing. He was a long time member of the Urich Baptist Church where he was a deacon for many years and served the church in numerous ways.
He will be missed by loved ones, son, Stephen Smith (Cheryl); daughter, Karen Conner (Ed); six grandchildren, Jennifer Sierks (Kevin), Julia Klinefelter (Mike), Dale Conner (Brecklyn), Stacey Lankard (Brian) and Stephanie Powell (Chris), Chris Smith (Janet); 12 great-grandchildren; 7 great-great-grandchildren; one brother, Dale Smith (Dana); and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Elizabeth on August 21, 2017; his parents; and one brother, Don Smith.
The family would like to thank Helena Martin, Linda King, St. Croix Hospice and the many other care givers who provided such wonderful care to their father and grandfather during his stay at Jefferson Gardens.
Funeral services will be at 3:00 p.m. Saturday, May 13, 2023 at the Bradley & Hadley Funeral Home, Clinton. The family will receive friends from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. just prior to the funeral service. Mr. Smith will lie in state from noon to 8:00 p.m., Friday at the funeral home. Interment will be in the Norris Cemetery, Urich, Mo. The family suggest memorial contributions to the Norris Cemetery or the Hendricks Cemetery, and these donations may be left in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be left online at www.bradleyhadley.com.
