William M. Smith

William "Bill" Myrl Smith, 79, of Topeka, passed away on Monday, August 22, 2011, at his home. He was born on November 16, 1931, in Manhattan, KS, to Myrl P. and Gertrude (Lewis) Smith.

Bill was a U.S. Army veteran, serving during the Korean Conflict "The Forgotten War". He was truck driver for independent contractors, D&E Mail Contractor in Colorado Springs, CO, for 20 years, and Hawkins Optical Lab in Topeka for 3 years. He retired in 1998. He was a member of Oakland United Methodist Church, V.F.W. Post No. 1650, and volunteered at the Topeka VA Hospital in building 4. Bill was an avid bowler.

On September 5, 1981, he married Barbara L. DeGraff in Overland Park, KS, she survives. Other survivors include his daughter, Katrina (Keith) Oldham of Selmer, TN; stepdaughters, Karen Barry-Shutts of Topeka and Gail (Darrell) Kirkwood of Topeka; four brothers, Kenny, Gerald, Ronnie, and Chester Smith, and two sisters, Virginia Payne and Linda Everly; eight grandchildren, Adrianna, Brittany, Danielle, Hanna, Matt, Scott, Adam and Chris and seven great grandchildren, Clayton, Austin, Charles, Haiven, Triston, Jayde and Joslyn. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Funeral services will be at 1:00 pm on Friday, August 26, at the Penwell-Gabel - Parker-Price Chapel. Burial with Military Honors will follow in the Rossville Cemetery. Bill will lie in state after 3:00 pm on Thursday at the funeral home, where the family will receive friends from 6:30 pm until 8:00 pm. Memorial contributions may be made to Grace Hospice, 3715 SW 29th St, #100, Topeka, KS 66614 or Oakland United Methodist Church, 801 NE Chester Ave., Topeka, KS 66616.