SMITH, William 1923-2003

SMITH, WELSCH, ALVAREZ

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 2/2/2009 at 12:25:37

William C. 'Bill' Smith, 79, of 404 Blunt St., Charles City, died Friday July 11, 2003 at his residence.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday July 16, 2003 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church with the Rev. Carl Ries officiating. Interment will follow in the Calvary Cemetery with military rites conducted by the Charles City Ceremonial Unit. Visitation will be held from 4 until 8 p.m. Tuesday July 15, 2003 at Fullerton Hage Funeral Home, 401 Blunt St., Charles City. Visitation will continue one hour prior to services at the church Wednesday morning.

Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to direct memorials to the Bill Smith Memorial Fund, in care of First Security Bank, 809 Clark St., Charles City, IA 50616.

William C. Smith was born August 24, 1923, the son of Clifton Charles and Margaret Ann (Welsch) Smith in Charles City, Iowa. He attended the Charles City public schools and later graduated as the valedictorian of his class. Following his high school graduation Bill attended Iowa State University. While in his freshman year he was drafted forcing him to leave school.

Bill was inducted into the United States Army on April 8, 1943. He was a member of the 31st weather squadron as a weather observer. William served his country in the Koajalin Islands in the Pacific. Bill was honorably discharged on February 11, 1944. Upon his return home Bill returned to Iowa State University and received his degree in horticulture/agriculture. After Bill finished his education he moved back to Charles City where he and his father worked for Sherman Nursery until opening their own nursery as Smith Nursery. Bill owned and operated Smith Nursery for 33 years.

On February 21, 1982 William was united in marriage to Virginia Alvarez at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Charles City. Bill and Virginia never had children but did help raise their nieces and nephews. Bill respected and treated them as his own.

Bill was a longtime weather observer for the National Weather Service out of LaCrosse, WI. He also provided his info to the local stations and papers. Bill was a member of the Nurserymanâs Association. Billâs vehicle could often be found parked along the side of the road while he was out collecting numerous types of seeds. Bill enjoyed playing Scrabble, Cribbage, and playing crossword puzzles. William enjoyed playing tennis and baseball in his younger days. His cherished time was spent with family and enjoying the Cubs playing on TV. Bill was very quiet, reserved, and patriotic and vocalized his quote of ãMy country right or wrongä. Bill was a lifelong member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church.

Those thankful for having shared in Billâs life include his wife Virginia, two cousins; Bud and Margo Lang and Jerry and Kay Heinrich, helped raise Andrea Alvarez LaVigne, Israel Alvarez Jr., Solmari Alvarez, and Alberto Alvarez, three sisters in law; Olga Alvarez, Norma and Jay Sprague, and Irma Alvarez, three brothers in law; Israel, Saul, and Alfred Alvarez, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Mr. Smith was preceded in death by his grandparents, and parents.