Bill Smith, 71

William Russell Smith, age 71, 0f Mendon, died Friday, May 26, 2023 at Ascension Borgess Hospital in Kalamazoo. He was born in Battle Creek on May 10, 1952 the son of Benjamin and Helen Louise (Rowley) Smith. Bill attended Athens High School before joining the U.S. Army. He served in Viet Nam and was awarded the Viet Nam Service and Campaign medals, Combat Infantryman’s Badge, and Bronze Star Medal. Bill was married to Marie Falwell in February of 1973 and they were later divorced. He was married to Daneel “Dannie” VanSchoick on March 29, 1987 and she passed away on Sep. 23, 2019.

Bill worked for many area companies and will be most remembered for his own company, Bill Smith’s Construction Company. He loved working with his hands and when he wasn’t building things at work, he was building things at home. He retired from the Maxitrol Company in Colon and was a member of the Athens Veterans of Foreign Wars Post.

Bill was reunited in marriage to his first wife, Marie on Aug. 22, 2020. She survives along with two sons, James (Angela) Smith of Angola and William Smith of Elkhart; daughter Sonnie Smith of St. Augustine, FL; step-children, Tina Kent of Ovette, MS, Maria (Michael Williams) Kent of Colon, and Doug (Dawn) Kent of Battle Creek; fourteen grandchildren; seven great grandchildren; sister, Shirley (Doug) Wank of Battle Creek; brothers Mike (Karen) Smith of Joppa and Richard (Tammy) Smith of Athens; several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; sister and brother-in-law Judy and Bill Iobe; step daughter, Lisa Garland; a grandchild; and a great-grandchild.

A private family interment will take place in Oak Grove Cemetery in Coldwater. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.eickhofffuneralhome.com