Submitted by: Dan Rich

Willie J. Smith Sr.

Aug. 10, 1925 - April 5, 1999

South Bend Tribune 4/9/1999

Mr. Willie J. Smith, Sr., 73, of Freemont Street, expired at 5:30 a.m. on Monday, April 5, in Vincor Hospital, Greenfield, Wis. His death followed a brief illness. He was born on Aug. 10, 1925, in Greenwood, Miss. Mr. Smith's parents, Sam and Jimmie Lee Smith, preceded him in death, as well as three sisters, Mamie Graham, Mary Paul and Bessie Evans, and a brother, Clarence Smith.

In May 1941 he married Mary McKinney, who survives. He leaves to cherish his memory a loving wife of 52 years, Mary Smith; two sons, Willie J. Smith, Jr., of Michigan City, Ind., and Jimmie Smith of South Bend, Ind.; six grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren; a sister, Mrs. Ida Bell Johnson of Indianapolis, Ind.; and a host of nieces and nephews. He was a veteran of the United States Army, serving his country from 1942 to 1948, for which he received an honorable discharge. For many years he was employed at the Bendix Corporation, retiring in 1974.

Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. on Friday in the Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church, followed by burial at Highland Cemetery. The Clark-O'Neal Funeral Home is entrusted with funeral services.