Billie Gene Smith, Sr.

Billie Gene Smith, Sr. was born September 5, 1935, at St. Joseph, Missouri. He was the son of Willie D. and Mary A. (Penland) Smith. He lived in Edgewater, Colorado, moving to Lebo, Kansas in 1970, and Williamsburg, Kansas in 1990, where he made his home until his death Thursday, May 16, 2002, at the age of sixty-six years. He was a lifelong farmer and stockman. He was a truck driver for Pepsi from 1957 to 1960 and Safeway from 1960 to 1966, both in Colorado. He also owned a salvage operation for many years located in Colorado and Kansas. He was a member of the Brethren Church in St. Joseph, Missouri and National Rifle Association. From 1993 to 2000, he portrayed Santa Claus at Timberlake Ranch in Williamsburg, and other businesses in Olathe. Billy was an outdoorsman, participating in fishing and hunting. He was an avid stockcar racing driver from the mid 1950's to the mid 1960's. During trips to Branson Missouri he could be found racing at the go-cart tracks. Most of all he enjoyed being with his family. On September 25, 1956, Billie was united in marriage with Beulah Marie Engerman at Wathena, Kansas. She survives of their home. He is also survived by his mother, Mary A. Smith-Walker of St. Joseph, Missouri; two sons, Bill Smith, Jr. and his wife, Catheryn, of Centropolis, Lonnie Smith of Centropolis; four daughters, Mary Jones and her husband, Robert, of Ottawa, Laura Smith and her companion, Melissa Underwood, of Olathe, Donna Hollon and her husband, Steven, of Williamsburg, Judy L. White of Olathe; two brothers, James L. R. Smith and his wife, Claudia, of St. Joseph, Missouri, Charles A. Walker and his wife, Betty, of St. Joseph, Missouri; eleven grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and many aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his father; two brothers, David O. Smith, Marion G. Smith; and, stepfather, Charles Walker, Sr. SERVICES: Funeral services will be held from the Dengel & Son Mortuary 10:00 a.m. Monday, May 20, 2002. OFFICIATING CLERGY: Rev. Keith Jones. IN STATE: Mr. Smith will lie in state at the Dengel & Son Mortuary from 4 to 9:00 p.m. Saturday and 1 to 9:00 p.m. Sunday to the service hour, where the family will meet with friends 4 to 5:00 p.m. Sunday. CEMETERY: Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Franklin County, Kansas. MEMORIALS: The family suggests memorials to American Diabetes Association, c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067.