Obituaries

Billy Gordon Smith, formally of Temple, TX, passed to his heavenly home February 6th. Bill was born on April 29, 1928 in Electra, TX to Robert Lee Smith and Shirley Irene (Walraven) Smith. Bill’s early years were spent in Monahans, TX where he attended and graduated from Monahans High School. He later attended Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, TX.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Robert L. Jr, Lonnie Louis and two sisters Ada Jewell Bettes, Rhonda Marie Bradford. Bill was also preceded in death by his first wife Winnie Josephine Smith and his second wife Billie Louise (Burton). And granddaughter Heather Draeger (Smith).

Survivors include sons Donald Gordon Smith and his wife Glenda of San Ramon, CA and Lonnie Glen Smith and his wife Cindie of Madera, CA. Granddaughters Holly Smith of Concord, CA and Stephine Smith of Palm Springs, CA. Great granddaughters Camron and Colby Draeger of Los Altos Hills, CA and great grandsons Mason and Hudson Trenio of Palm Springs, CA. and numerous nieces and nephews.

Bill will be remembered for his appreciation of good humor, his generosity, love of golf and other sports. Bill had a passion for world travel with many trips to Europe and North Africa, Russia, Egypt, China and the Middle East.

He was an accomplished artist, a builder of custom doll houses, a published author and an avid reader.

He worked at several different jobs and finally settled at Pacific Telephone where retired in 1983 as a District Sales Manager after 23 years of service.

Interment will be held on Monday, February 22, 2021 at 12:30 PM, Irvington Memorial Cemetery, 41001 Chapel Way, Fremont, next to his first wife.