Bill Schmitt

William E. "Bill" Schmitt, 81, of Cape Girardeau died Tuesday, May 6, 2008, at his home.

He was born March 12, 1927, in Cairo, Ill., son of Harold and Lena Henderson Schmitt. He married Martha Stroud.

Schmitt had owned Mack's Barbecue in Cairo. He was a member of First Southern Baptist Church in Cairo and VFW Post 3838 in Cape Girardeau. He was a former member of Elks, Masons and Shriners.

He served in the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps Reserve.

Survivors include his wife; two daughters, Tina Dorau of Aurora, Colo., Teresa Martin of Mounds, Ill.; two sons, Thomas and Dennis Woolard of West Frankfort, Ill.; a sister, Jewell "Bug" Tolar of Jacksonville, Fla.; 10 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a daughter, a sister and a grandson.

There is no visitation.

A graveside service will be at 12:30 p.m. Friday at Mound City National Cemetery in Mound City, Ill., with the Rev. Stanley Hargis officiating. Military honors will be provided by Pulaski County Memorial VFW Post 8891 of Mounds, Cairo VFW Post 2649 and Louis Phares American Legion Post 178 of Villa Ridge, Ill.

Barkett Funeral Home in Cairo is in charge of arrangements.