Obituaries/Viewings
William F. Smith | 81
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William F. Smith, 81, of 526 Armory Road, St. Marys, passed away Monday, November 9, 2020, at Penn Highlands DuBois, after a brief illness.
He was born May 29, 1939, in Oil City, PA, son of the late Fredrick Smith and Florence Mays Smith.
On August 18, 1962, in the Sharpsville United Methodist Church, Bill married Nancy J. Jewell, who preceded him in death on June 23, 2015. Shortly after getting married, Bill and Nancy moved to Elk County where Bill taught in the Ridgway Area School District from 1965 until his retirement from teaching in 1994.
Bill is survived by a daughter, Michelle Ann Thomas of Camp Hill, PA; two sons: Douglas W. Smith and his wife Linda of St. Marys and Scott A. Smith and his wife Tara of Butler, PA; four grandchildren: Justin Smith, Maddigan Smith, Kaili Thomas, and Valerie Schauer; three great-grandchildren: Cole Lenze, Ryan Schauer, and Jakob Schauer; by six great-great-grandchildren and by several nieces and nephews.
In addition to his wife and parents, Bill was preceded in death by two sisters: Polly Cunningham and Annabelle “Pat” Emmerson; and by two brothers: Robert Cunningham and Donald Cunningham. He was the last surviving member of his immediate family.
Bill was a member of the St. Marys United Methodist Church. He was also a social member of the American Legion, the Elks, and was a member for over 50 years with Masonic Lodge 363 in Oil City.
He was known by many as “Smitty” and to a select few as “Senator”. He was a great storyteller, loved to joke around, and simply had a lust for life. He enjoyed hunting, going to fishing camp, playing his trumpet, but the most joy for him came from the time spent with his family and friends.
Funeral Services will be held in the United Methodist Church on Thursday, November 12, 2020, at 11:00am, with the Rev. J. Tim Hoover, Pastor, officiating. Burial will follow in the Parklawn Memorial Gardens in Ridgway.
Visitation is at the Lynch-Radkowski Funeral Home on Wednesday, November 11, 2020, from 5:00pm until 8:00pm.
Memorials, if desired, may be made to the United Methodist Church, 140 North St. Marys Street, St. Marys, PA 15857.
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So saddened by Bill’s passing and that I can’t make it up to St. Marys. Know that my heart and prayers are with you. Trust in our Lord to see you through this.
Love,
Aunt Rhonda
Shelly, Doug & Scott,
I’m so sorry for your loss. I always loved your dad; and was proud to be able to call him Uncle Bill. I’ll be keeping you & your families, in my thoughts & prayers. He is home, with Aunt Nancy now, I’m sure; they are glad to be together again.
To Kaili, Michelle, and their family. No one can ever truly know how you are feeling right now. You each had your own relationship with your Grandfather, Dad etc. Each person mourns in their own way in your own time. Know that there are prayers of comfort and peace going up for each and everyone of you. Take the time you need to mourn and remember. Try to focus on the good times and know he loved you for all your flaws and triumphs. He is free of pain and he and his beloved Nancy are dancing a waltz of joy at being able to be together again. Find your happiest memory and keep it close at hand for those moments that you are sad. Peace to all.