Obituary of William V. "Willie" Smith
William V. "Willie" Smith, 91, of Moran, Kansas, passed away Monday, August 29, 2016, at the Allen County Regional Hospital.
Willie was born January 3, 1925, on a farm southeast of Savonburg, Kansas, the son of Emmitt Robert and Anna Myrtle (Gemmill) Smith. He grew up on the family farm and graduated from Savonburg High School in 1943. On November 23, 1944, Willie married Betty G. Shepherd at Columbus, Kansas. They lived in Savonburg, Stark, Elsmore and most recently in Moran. He farmed and sold cars all of his life. He worked for Tabor Motor Co. in Chanute, Talley Chevrolet in Moran, and Ray Shepherd Motors in Ft. Scott until he retired. His wife, Betty, preceded him in death December 17, 2011.
Willie enjoyed hunting including rattle snake hunting in Oklahoma. He will be remembered for riding his 4-wheeler in local parades with his german shepherd dogs dressed in costumes.
Survivors include his three daughters: Cheryl Wallis & husband, Jerry , Margaret Jackman & husband, Danny and Nancy Houk & husband, Lloyd all of Moran, KS; 4 grandchildren: Donnie Van Wallis & wife, Darla of Claremore, OK, Jay Jackman & wife, Sara of Savonburg, KS, Anthony Houk & wife, Janell of Parsons, KS, and Andrea Hottenstein & husband, Rick of Humboldt, KS; 10 great grandchildren and 2 great great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, his sister Mable Plum and his granddaughter, Tammy Lynn Wallis.
Visitation will be Thursday, Sept. 1, 2016, from 6:00-8:00 p.m., at Feuerborn Family Funeral Service in Iola. Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. Friday, Sept. 2, 2016, at the funeral home with burial to follow in Rosedale Cemetery northeast of Stark, KS. Memorials are suggested to Moran Baptist Church and may be left with the funeral home. Go to www.iolafuneral.com to leave a condolence online.