William J. "Willie" Smith

William J. "Willie" Smith, 74, of Bardstown passed away Friday, May 23, 2014, at St. Mary & Elizabeth Hospital in Louisville.  He was born August 24, 1939, in Bardstown.  He was the president of Smith Brothers Distributing in Bardstown.  A distributer of Anheuser-Busch Beer, a prominent business man, a 1957 graduate of St. Joe Prep, a graduate of St. Catherine Jr. College and attended Western Kentucky University.  He served in the National Guard, a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Ducks Unlimited, NRA, Nelson County Beef Cattleman Association, National Wild Turkey Federation, KY Malt Beverage Council Board Member, KMBC Benefits Trust Board Member, KMBA PAC Board Member, KMBA Past President, National Beer Wholesalers Association Longtime Member, KY Beer Wholesalers Association Past President and Malt Beverage Education Corporation Board Member, an avid collector, loved being with his grandchildren, gardening, feeding bird, and going to the farm.
 He is preceded in death by his parents, B.L. "Butcher Bill" and Sylvia Smith.
 He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Patsy Forsee Smith of Bardstown; five daughters, Helen (Mike) Filiatreau of Cox's Creek, Rebekah "Becky" Smith of Mooresville, KY, Rachel (Ken) Briney of Bloomfield, Challon Smith, Suzanne (Michael) Spalding both of Bardstown; son, Jay (Angela) Smith of Bardstown; eleven grandchildren; five brothers, Rapier (Violet) Smith, Bert (Joyce) Smith, and  Frankie (Lucy) Smith all of Bardstown, Tommy Smith of Aurora, CO., and Pat (Cecilia) Smith of Bardstown; two sisters, Mary (Bob) Wilson of Buckner, Ky. and Genny (Dave) Horlander of Bardstown; host of nieces and nephew and great-nieces and great-nephews; thought of as one of his own daughters, Jane Eigelbach.
 His funeral service will be 1 p.m. Tuesday, May 27, 2014, at Basilica of St. Joseph Proto-Cathedral with burial in St. Joseph Cemetery.  Rev. Bill Hammer will be officiated with Rev. Joe Batcheldor as con-celebrate.   Memorial contributions may go to the Crusade for Children, Barktown Rescue or Nelson County Humane Society.
Barlow Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.