William Henry Smith Jr.

William H. "Bill" Smith, Jr.

A memorial service for former Lusk resident, Bill Smith, 71, will be held on Monday, Dec. 9, 1:30 p.m. at Cicmanec-Pier Funeral Home.

Bill Smith died in his home in Cheyenne on Nov. 28, 2002, after a long bout with cancer.

He was born July 18, 1931, to William Sr. and Hester (Brey) Smith in Hillsboro, Wisc. He lived in Ontario, Wisc., until the family moved to the Lusk area in 1937. Bill graduated from Lusk High School in 1949. After graduation he joined the Wyoming Army National Guard and worked for the telephone company. In 1951 he enlisted in the U.S. Navy seeing duty in the South Pacific and Korea for the next four years. After his discharge, Bill's patriotic spirit kept him in the military reserves, and he retired with honors from the Wyoming Air National Guard after 30 years of service.

He married Kay Morgan at Lusk in November 1955. In 1963 he and Kay purchased Holland's Cabins, which they renamed Covered Wagon Motel. They sold the motel in 1976. He was also the local State Farm Insurance agent until 1979, when he assumed a State Farm agency in Cheyenne. During his years with State Farm, he received many honors and top awards, retiring in 1995. During his four decades in business, he was prominent in many organizations, including the Lions Club, Chamber of Commerce, and was past president of the Wyoming Motel Association. He was also a pilot and was active in the Civil Air Patrol.

In 1986 he married Bonnie Bush of Cheyenne. They enjoyed hiking, golfing, skiing and traveling in their motor home.

He is survived by his wife Bonnie, of Cheyenne; his mother, Hester Smith, of Lusk; three sons, Brett and Bruce, both of Kimball, Neb., and Dave of Sidney, Neb; four step-daughters, Sarah Daigle of Slidell, La., Susan Utter of Lafayette, La., Carolyn Williams of Gilmer, Texas; and Jennifer Bush of Concord, N. C.; one step-son David Bush of Cheyenne; six grandchildren and nine step-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his father, William H, Smith, Sr. and one grandson, Sean David Smith.

In lieu of flowers the family requests gifts to the American Cancer Society, 4202 Ridge Road, Cheyenne, WY 82001, or to a charity of their choice.

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