William Joseph Smith 1951-2010

SMITH, CHRISTENSEN, COOKINHAM, VARPNESS, DERRICKSON, HAMILSON

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 3/28/2013 at 00:26:27

William J. Smith
BORN: January 23, 1951
DIED: February 26, 2010

William Joseph Smith, the son of Charles Milford and Lorraine (Cookinham) Smith, was born January 23, 1951, in Emmetsburg, Iowa. He passed away Friday, February 26, 2010, at his home in Graettinger, Iowa, at the age of 59 years.

He received his education in the Ayrshire Consolidated School. After graduation from high school he attended Jackson Vocational School in the refrigeration program in Jackson, Minnesota.

After completing college Bill was employed at Ready Mix in Jackson. Later he moved to Estherville and was employed at Quality Ready Mix. On February 14, 1975, Bill was united in marriage to Kathy Christensen in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The couple made their home in the Ingham Lake area where they built a home in 1977. Later Bill began driving semi over the road for Van-Wyk Trucking based out of Sheldon, Iowa. He drove over the road for about 9 years. Later he was employed at Polaris Industries in Spirit Lake, Iowa, until his health failed and he was forced to retire. Most recently he has been living in Graettinger. In his leisure time he enjoyed movies, fishing and most importantly he enjoyed spending time with his beloved grandchildren.

Left to cherish Bill's memory are his children, Billie Jo Varpness and her husband, Josh of Cottonwood, Minnesota; Eric Charles Smith and his wife, Alexis of Dunnell, Minnesota; his five beloved grandchildren, Tate, Bailey, Maddison, Carmen and Trevor; and brothers and sister, Gary Smith of Graettinger, Margaret Derrickson and her husband, Dwight of Ruthven; and Jack Smith and his wife, Debbie of Armstrong, Iowa; and his very special friend, Jani Hamilton.

Preceding Bill in death were his parents and one brother, Jim.

INTERMENT : East Side Cemetery, Estherville (MC)