William Junior (Bill) Smith, of Sulphur, Oklahoma, was born to William A. and Elma (Erion) Smith on October 29, 1929 and passed peacefully into eternal life to be with his Lord and Savior on December 28, 2022 , at the age of 93 years.
Bill was raised in Fargo, Oklahoma. During his youth he enjoyed visiting his grandparents' farm and riding horses and playing with his cousins. While in school he was on the baseball team and played the clarinet in the school band. After graduating from Fargo High School in 1947, Bill served his country in the U.S. Air Force from 1950-1954 during the Korean War. He was promoted to Staff Sergeant while at Sheppard Air Force Base, in Texas, where he was an instructor for aircraft and jet mechanics. During his service he received the Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Medal, and Sharpshooter Medal.
On August 19, 1951, he married the love of his life, Queta Meyer. Bill and Queta celebrated their 71st anniversary on August 19, 2022. Bill and Queta had 3 daughters, Revae Brewer, Paula Boswell, and Kathleen Mattingly.
After being discharged from the Air Force, Bill returned to Fargo, Oklahoma and partnered with his dad at the Smith Machine Shop where he repaired vehicles and farm equipment. During this time he also nurtured a large organic garden and provided vegetables to the local grocery store. As a hobby he was also involved in raising chinchillas. During the summer, Bill also enjoyed taking his family to the lake and he really liked water skiing. He enjoyed taking his family on camping trips to Colorado and trips to Mexico. Since family was so important to him, every Saturday he would take the family to visit his wife's parents, Paul and Gladys Meyer. They would all eat a homemade meal, play cards, and then watch the Lawrence Welk Show. On Sunday afternoons he would take the family to see his grandparents, Gus and Nellie Erion, in Woodward, Oklahoma.
In 1969, Bill, Queta, and their 3 daughters, went on a new adventure in Pauls Valley, Oklahoma, where they owned and managed the Valley Motel. During these years he also worked on restoring antique cars and airplanes. Bill also accomplished getting his private pilot's license and owning his own airplane. He also completed the construction of an airplane in his home garage.
Bill and Queta spent 18 winters in Zapata, Texas, where they were able to fish and spend time with both Bill and Queta's parents.
Bill was very talented and was able to do anything he set his mind on doing. He excelled in mechanics, carpentry, and baking. Bill loved baking. He enjoyed baking delicious dinner rolls and cinnamon rolls to take to meals at his church, the Renewing Life Church. Bill also served as a Deacon and Trustee for the Renewing Life Church until 2021. Using his mechanical ability, after a trip to Florida and seeing airboats on the Everglades, Bill returned home and built his own airboat. Throughout his life, Bill was a wonderful husband and father. He continuously helped his family in any way that he could. Bill had a very good sense of humor. When his daughters would ask him how he was feeling, he would say, "Well, I feel with my fingers." He will be greatly missed by his family.
Bill thoroughly enjoyed both attending and watching on TV the OU Sooners football and baseball teams.
His family is very thankful to the Sulphur Veterans Center for the fantastic care they have provided. Over the past year the Sulphur Veteran's Center provided trips to the Oklahoma Dodger's Baseball Games, fishing trips with BBQS, and lots of BINGO that he especially loved winning. We also want to thank Good Sheperd Hospice for the loving care that they provided these past weeks.
Mr. Smith is survived by:
Wife: Queta Smith
Daughters: Revae Brewer, Paula Boswell(Mike), Kathleen Mattingly
Grandchildren: Angela Yanez(Carlos), Michelle Boswell, Marcus Boswell(Briana), Melissa Hoppis(Jon), Joseph Niedbalski(Jenny), Peter Niedbalski
Great Grandchildren: Braxton Hoppis, Hadley Hoppis, Makena Boswell, Benjamin Boswell, Charlotte Niedbalski, Claire Niedbalski
Brother: Bobby Smith
In-Laws: Kay and Enrique Sanchez
Mr. Smith is preceded by:
Parents: William A. and Elma Smith
Son-in-law: William Michael Brewer
Grandparents: Gus and Nellie Erion
The services for Mr. Smith will be Tuesday, January 3, 2023 at 10:00 A.M. at the Renewing Life Church in Wynnewood, Oklahoma. Interment will follow immediately after at Mt. Olivet in Pauls Valley, Oklahoma. Services will be under the direction of Wooster Funeral Home. If you would like to send your condolences to the family you may do so at www.woosterfuneralhomes.com