William "Bill" H Smith
March 25, 2012
William was born August 7, 1928 in Valley, Nebraska to Clarence and Belle 'Powers' Smith. He attended school in Valley and Long Beach, California. After high school in 1946, he worked with the railroad in North Platte, then as a welder at Valmont, retiring from Hormel after 33 years of service to the company. William was a member of The Presbyterian Church of Fremont, a 60 year member of the Fremont Masonic Lodge No. 15 A.F & A.M., served as a volunteer firefighter for the Nickerson Rural Fire Department while living in Fontanelle, NE and was a member of the Aerie 200 Fraternal Order of the Eagles of Fremont. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening and was known to be quite a cook.
He met his future wife Alyce Green on August 6, 1948. Alyce often said she took one look at him and that was it! As they rode the Ferris Wheel at Play Land Park on the evening of August 6th, dad smiled at mom and said this was a great way to celebrate his birthday. Mom thought he was giving her quite a 'line' since it was actually her birthday. They soon discovered that mom was an older woman by 3 hours - born late in the night of August 6th, while dad was born early in the morning hours of August 7th. William and Alyce were married on January 14, 1949. The couple lived in Fremont with their three children until 1969, moving to an acreage in Fontanelle in August of 1969. In 1980 they returned to Fremont.
William was preceded in death by his wife Alyce, brother Jack Smith, sister Beverly Bramson and Son-in-law Randy Reyzlik.
Survivors include his son William J (and wife Eileen) Smith of Sioux Falls, SD; daughter Sue 'Stoeber' Reyzlik of Fremont, son Stacy (wife Laurie) Smith of Houston, TX, sister-in-law Joey (husband Mel) Schwanke of Fremont, sister-in-law Pat Smith of Arlington.
Six grandchildren: Dan (wife Jennifer) Smith of Tucson, AZ.; Scott (wife Stephanie) Smith of Omaha; Sara 'Stoeber' (husband Colby) Smith of Ceresco; Evan Stoeber (and special friend Pam Barnes) of Dallas, TX. Darci 'Smith' (husband Evan) Granberg of Madison, WI.; and Ramie Reyzlik of Fremont.
2 great grandsons: Samson & Mackson Smith of Ceresco and 1 great granddaughter RaiLee Reyzlik (soon to be born) and many nieces and nephews.
The funeral will be 10am Saturday March 31 at The Presbyterian Church in Fremont. The Rev. Jon Ashley will officiate. Burial will follow in Ridge Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to The Presbyterian Church or to the Keep Fremont Beautiful Tree Planting Memorial Program. Visitation at the Ludvigsen Mortuary Chapel will be on Friday from 3pm to 8pm with the family receiving friends from 6pm to 7pm. A Masonic Service, conducted by the Fremont Masonic Lodge No. 15 A.F & A.M., will be at 7pm. Visitation will continue at church one hour before the service.
Ludvigsen Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.
Online guestbook at www.Ludvigsenmortuary.com
Obituary Provided By:
1249 E. 23rd St.
Fremont, NE 68025
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