Bill D. Smith

Bill Dayton Smith, 93, of Whitewater passed away Sunday, May 15, 2016, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau.

He was born Dec. 20, 1922, in Jackson, son of Jesse "Gad" and Tishie E. Seabaugh Smith. He and Mildred Green were married June 10, 1944, in Pickett, Arkansas.

As a teenager, Bill joined the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC Camp) in Wentzville, Missouri. He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps on Sept. 15, 1942, and was honorably discharged Oct. 29, 1943. He worked at the Jackson Shoe Factory and was transferred for a brief time to Chicago. Upon his return to Jackson, he worked for the former Friedrich Sheet Metal in Jackson before beginning a 31-year career with Natural Gas Pipeline of America, retiring in 1986. After retirement, Bill especially enjoyed raising cattle, making hay and working on his farm. He was a member of First Baptist Church in Jackson and a 50-year member of the Althenthal-Joerns American Legion Post # 158 in Jackson.

In addition to Mildred, his wife of 72 years, loving survivors include four children, Jean (Ray) Schweain of Jackson, Jim D. Smith of Durango, Colorado, Cindi (Ken) Kramer of Jackson and Roger (Stacey) Smith of Whitewater; 17 grandchildren, Kathie Zank, Kristi Thurman, Eric Schweain, Ryan Schweain, Geoff Smith, Greg Smith, Kelly Smith, Carmen Smith, Barrett Smith, Corey Smith, Andy Siebert, Patrick Siebert, Lindsay Sebaugh, Kendra Frentzel, Wade Kramer, Zachary Smith and Kaitlyn Smith; and 23 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Jerry Smith and a sister, Shirley Abernathy.

Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the chapel of McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson. An American Legion Service will be held at 7 p.m.

The funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Lucas Clabaugh officiating. Interment will follow in Russell Heights Cemetery in Jackson, with military honors.

Memorials may take the form of contributions to First Baptist Church or the donor's choice of church or charity.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting mccombsfuneralhome.com.