William L. Smith

William L. Smith of Bentleyville, having just celebrated his 81st birthday, died at 7:00 am on September 17, 2009 in The Rehabilitation & Nursing Center at Greater Pittsburgh, Greensburg, with his daughters by his side.

He was born September 7, 1928 in Bentleyville, a son of Alex and Margaret E. Mathias Smith.

He graduated from Bentleyville High School in 1946.

Mr. Smith served in the US Army from 1951 to 1953 and fought in the Korean Conflict and was a member of the Swart-Phillips American Legion Post 897, Glyde.

He once worked for the former BethEnergy Mines, mine 58 in Marianna.

He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Bentleyville and was a member of the choir.

An avid gardener and hunter, Mr. Smith loved to visit his friends at O'Neil Auto Repair shop.

Surviving are his ex-wife, Joanne E. Smiley Smith of Bentleyville; daughters Karla (Michael J.) Popovich of Scenery Hill and Shelley (Dean) Vivio of Ellsworth; granddaughter, Angela Cook and great-grandsons Emmett and Aiden Capps, all of Bentleyville; sister, Lois Jean (Dr. William S.) Kirk of North Carolina; sister-in-law, Rosella Hughes Smith of State College; brother-in-law, John Walker of West Middlesex and several nieces and nephews.

Deceased are a brother Robert Smith and sister Retta Jane Smith Walker.

Friends welcome from 2 to 9 p.m. Friday at the Thompson-Marodi Funeral Home, Inc., 809 Main Street, Bentleyville (724-239-2255). Services will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, September 19, 2009 at the First Presbyterian Church, 812 Main Street, Bentleyville with Rev. Andy Scott, officiating. Military funeral rites accorded by Swart-Phillips American Legion. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to American Diabetes Association, 300 Penn Center Blvd., Suite 602, Pittsburgh, PA 15235. Condolences can be sent at www.thompson-marodi.com.

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