LifeStoryNet.com

Life Story Funeral Homes®
The exclusive providers of the Life Story Experience

 

Life Story Funeral Homes®
The exclusive providers of the Life Story Experience

Billy Wesley Smith

September 21, 2020
Allegan, MI

//cdn.lifestorynet.com/fh/obituary-default.jpg

Obituary


Print

Longtime Allegan resident, left this earth to reside with his Lord and Savior on Monday, September 21, 2020. Bill was born on November 1, 1932 in Clarksville, Tennessee, the son of Turner and Dottie (Evans) Smith, he was the second of four sons. Bill worked the family farm alongside his dad and brothers Turner Jr. and John. He attended the Sango School and went on to graduate from Clarksville High School in 1951. During his younger days he enjoyed playing baseball and basketball. A highlight for him in his teenage years was to go with his brothers and cousins to town on a Saturday night for a movie, burger and a coke, a well earned reward for a long week of work and school. After graduation Bill continued to work the family farm, along with a farm he and Turner Jr. purchased. A few years later, he received his draft notice and joined the Navy. He served on the USS Stallion, stationed in Port Everglades, Florida. During his stay in the Navy he met "his sweetheart" Lois Pickitt, from Allegan, Michigan on a blind date. When his duty in the Navy was over, he returned to Clarksville. Bill made several trips to Michigan to see Lois, until they married on February 28, 1958. They resided in Houston for one year, then returned to Michigan. Bill began working in the gravel business for his Father-in-law, Harry Pickitt. In 1973 Bill purchased the company and it became known as Bill Smith Sand & Gravel, headquartered in Otsego, Michigan. He ran the company until 1999, when he sold it, and began Aggregate & Developing, in 2006, which he ran with his son Wes.He was a member of First Baptist Church in Allegan, for many years, where he served as a Trustee, Deacon and Usher. He also served on the Board of Trustees, at Cedarville University in Ohio. Surviving is his wife Lois Smith; daughter, Cassandra (Smith) Atkins; Son, Wesley (Melanie) Smith; his grandchildren, Savannah (Alan) Devine, Raven (Justin) Ellicott, Liza Atkins, Shanel (CJ) Nightingale, Deidre (Zach) Radcliffe, Madelyn Smith, and Hudson Smith; great-grandchildren, Connor, Gavin, Emma, Brayden, Marleigh, Lyric, and Charlotte. He is preceded in death by his parents Turner and Dottie; brothers, Turner Jr., John and James; brother-in-laws and sister-in-laws, Charles (Wildarene Pickitt) Sheffer, Boone (Miriam Pickitt) Cook, and John (Reva Pickitt) Miller. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Bill may be directed to Camp Beechpoint in Allegan, or Wings of Hope Hospice. Public visitation will be held at Gorden Funeral Residence, Allegan Chapel, Sunday evening, September 27, 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm. A graveside funeral service will take place Monday, September, 28 at 10:00 am in Oakwood cemetery with a Celebration of Life at First Baptist Church of Allegan will follow at 1:00 pm which will be livestreamed through the Church.