Bill was born in Hornersville, Missouri to William Winfield Smith and Dollie Agusta (Lowe) Smith. He and his family came to California in 1936.
Dad met our precious mom on the 4th of July 1941 near the Courthouse in Modesto while both were attending the parade. Dad always said when he saw her he told himself that she was the girl that he was going to marry. They married the next 4th of July, 1942. They were married over 70 years until Mom's death in 2013.
After 4 years in the Army they came back to Ceres and Dad became a Building Contractor. He built many homes, mostly in Stanislaus and San Joaquin Counties. Many of the homes were in the original Sherwood Forest and Northgate subdivisions in the 1950's. He also built a large subdivision in Ceres in the 1960's.
Dad and Mom spent many happy hours in their RV's with family and friends fishing, sitting around large campfires, playing cards and board games. In earlier days Dad enjoyed an annual hunting pack trip on horseback with family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his wife Lucille, parents, sisters Pauline, Bettye, Imogene, and brother Carl. Also two grandsons, David Smith Jr. and Jacob Grant Stewart.
He leaves behind his daughter Carol (Bob) Hart, son David (Pam) Smith, daughter Judy (Kevin) Stewart, and daughter Sandra (Phil) O'Keefe.
Grandchildren, Robert Jr. and Jeffrey Hart, Deborah Caudill, Joshua and Jacob Stewart, Samantha Latino and Staci Cowan. Also 5 great and 3 great-great grandchildren.
Dad and Mom belong to the same church Valley Christian Center in Ceres for over 60 years, during which time Dad was most always a Deacon.
We want to give a special thanks to all Caregivers and Staff at Bethel who treated Dad so wonderful during his time there.
Services will be held Wed. Dec. 20th at Lakewood, Heritage Chapel with viewing at 10:00 a.m. until 11:45 a.m. Services will be held at 12:00 p.m.
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