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James Smith Obituary
Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 4, in Pettett Funeral Home with the Revs. Peggy Camp and Stephanie Voss officiating. Burial will be in Walker Hill Cemetery. Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to American Cancer Society.
James was born Sept. 27, 1937, in Sand Ridge to Lester Smith and Reba (Jones) Smith.
Mr. Smith worked as a heavy equipment operator at Crab Orchard Wild Life Refuge from 1951 to 1993. He was a member of NRA and Ducks Unlimited. He loved to go fishing, hunting and exploring Oakwood Bottoms.
James married Ruth A. Wills on June 1, 1958, in Grand Tower. They were married 53 years the day he passed away and she survives of Grand Tower.
Other survivors include two sons, Gordon W. Smith and his fiancée, Debbie Boucher, of Gorham, and Guy L. Smith and his wife, Judy Smith, of Hastings, Neb.; four grandchildren, Christina Morris and her husband, Richard Morris, Wayne Goetz and his wife, Jessica Goetz, Brandon Smith and Gary Lee Boucher, and his wife, Heather Boucher; eight great-grandchildren; two sisters, Janet Pickering of Murphysboro and Ruth Ellet of Gorham; and many special nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Alma Jean Johnson.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for James Smith
3 Entries
Jackie Norton
June 3, 2011
Ruth Ann, Gordon, Guy and Family,
May God comfort you through the passing of your husband and father. My deepest heartfelt sympathy goes out to you all.
I remember so vividly, just like it was yesterday when day after day, I would come home from school and there was Smitty sitting in his car out in front of the house waiting for either someone to pick up Mr. Adams or for Ruth Ann to come pick him up. He became a welcome part of my every day. He always smiled, waved, and said hello and some days he would tease me and laugh. I always felt safe coming home knowing that like clock work he would be there. He will be greatly missed by all whose lives he touched.
My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Sincerely,
Jackie Norton
claude stearns
June 2, 2011
Ruth Ann, Janet, and family, We are very sorry about James' death. You are all in our prayers. Joyce and Claude Stearns and family
sharon holderfield
June 2, 2011
With our deepest sympathy and love, God bless.
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CLOSED-Pettett Funeral Home1418 South Street, Murphysboro, IL 62966-2569
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