William Smith

William E. Smith (Bill), 76, passed away on Saturday, December 11, 2021 at the Standish Ascension Hospital.  Bill was born in Gladwin, Michigan where he resided his entire life.  Bill graduated from Gladwin High School in 1964 and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps serving his Country from 1966 to 1970.  When returning, he married the love of his life LaVel (Farrow) Smith on January 9, 1971, and together they had one daughter, Shannon.

Bill was a carpenter by trade and a fiercely loyal, protective, unbelievably caring and generous man who will be missed dearly by his family and all who knew him.  He enjoyed golfing, hunting, mowing his large lawn, helping in the community along with LaVel including the Arts and Crafts Festival in the Gladwin City Park, Tuesdays in the Park, Thunder on the Strip, Fall in Gladwin, the Pumpkin Painting and was instrumental in bringing the Christmas Tree to downtown Gladwin and also helped the ladies of the Gladwin County Festival of Lights Christmas Parade with any help they needed. Bill loved the Gladwin community.

Bill worked at the A&P Store in Gladwin for fourteen-years and worked in carpentry for thirty-four years until his retirement from Dan French Builders in 2009.  He also operated an Adult Foster Care Home with his wife.

Left to cherish his wonderful memory is his wife of 50 years LaVel, his daughter Shannon and son-in-law Jake Dorn all of Gladwin.  Brothers, Russ (Joyce) Smith of Harrison, Jim (Thelma) Smith of Sumter, South Carolina, Roy (Roxy) Smith of Coleman, Sister, Betty Jo (Jerry) Naugle of Gladwin, Sister-in-Law Audrey Farrow of Gladwin and numerous nieces and nephews that he cherished.

He was pre-deceased by his Father and Mother, Harold and Lucille Smith and his Father-in-Law and Mother-in-Law, Cecil and Mabel Farrow. Sisters, Gert Abbott and Edie Crick, Sister-in-Law Donna Kent and Brothers-in-Law Ernie Kent and Bob Farrow.

Visitation and service will be held at the Hall-Kokotovich Funeral Home in Gladwin with visitation on Tuesday, December 14 ^th from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.  Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, December 15 ^th beginning at 11 a.m. A graveside service will immediately follow in Highland Cemetery with luncheon after at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Gladwin.

Memorials can be made to the Gladwin Business and Professional Association (PO Box 607, Gladwin Michigan 48624) for a music celebration in Bill’s honor.

Arrangements are in the care of Hall-Kokotovich Funeral Home, Gladwin. www.hallkokotovichfuneralhome.com