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In loving memory of my father,
William Clarke "Bill" Smith
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Obituary, Fresno Bee, Fresno, California 11-13-2008 by Carolyn Aldama
William Clarke "Brother Bill" Smith
William Clarke "Brother Bill" Smith was born on January 22, 1926, in Bend, Oregon, to Jay Harvey Smith and Amelia Starr Smith. His father delivered him because the doctor could not get to the home in the middle of the winter snowstorm. Of eight children born to Jay and Amelia, Bill is survived by one remaining brother and one sister. While in the U.S. Army during WWII, he met his future wife at the Baptist Servicemen's Center in Little Rock, Arkansas. He married Veta Maxine Davidson on March 11, 1945. He was the loving father of seven children, 20 grandchildren, and 15 great-grandchildren. He graduated from Ouachita Baptist College in Arkansas and moved to California in 1951, to attend Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary. He was a scholar. He studied the Word and he preached the Gospel of Salvation through the grace of Jesus Christ who gave his life for our redemption. He was a voracious reader. He loved people and was always eager and willing to work with them and encourage them. He loved singing. He loved a good old church potluck dinner. He was a prayer warrier. He served Southern Baptist Pastorates in Arkansas and California for 44 years until he was forced to retire because of his health. Brother Bill preached, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." - John 3:16 He is survived by his wife, Maxine Smith; five daughters, Carolyn Aldama and her spouse Fred, Virginia Bennett and her spouse Richard, Barbara Logan and her spouse Don, Rebecca Tully and her spouse Reggie, and Patricia Bingham and her spouse Dave. He is survived by his two sons, Donald and his spouse Beverly, and Dwight. Visitation will be held at Clovis Funeral Chapel on Friday, November 14, 2008, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. A Funeral Service will be held at Sierra Heights Church, 6385 N. Fresno St., on Saturday, November 15, 2008, at 9:00 a.m. Interment will be at Clovis Cemetery.
Clovis Funeral Chapel, 1302 Clovis Avenue, Clovis, Ca. (559) 298-7536
Memorial by Barbara Logan
William Clarke "Bill" Smith, age 82, of Clovis, departed this world for his heavenly home on Sunday, November 9, 2008. He had suffered from heart and circulatory problems for several years. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
Bill was born January 22, 1926 in Bend, OR., a son of the late Jay Smith, Sr. and Grace Starr Smith. He was a member of Sierra Heights Baptist Church in Fresno, a retired Southern Baptist minister and a Republican. He graduated from Beaverton High School in Beaverton, OR. in 1944. He was a veteran of World War II, serving in the U.S. Army from 1944-1946. In September 1947 he entered Ouachita Baptist College in Arkansas. He
earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree and graduated Cum Laude in August 1949. He also did post-graduate work at Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary in Mill Valley, CA. from 1951-1953.
Bill spent his life serving the Lord. He was ordained into the Southern Baptist ministry at the First Baptist Church in Little Rock, AR. in 1948. His first pastorate was at Owensville Baptist Church in Owensville, AR., where he served from 1949-1950. Bill then moved his growing
family to the California Bay Area, where he was pastor at Grace Baptist Church in Corning in 1951, associate pastor at First Southern Baptist Church in Richmond from 1951-1953 and started the Montalvin Baptist Church in San Pablo, where he was pastor from 1953-1960. Bill was called to serve as pastor of First Southern Baptist Church of Clovis in 1961, where he ministered until 1985. He also was pastor at Hillside Baptist Church in La Puente in 1985 and Trinity Baptist Church in Modesto from 1986-1989. Due to health problems he retired in 1989. After his retirement he and wife Maxine moved back to Clovis. Bill continued to serve the Lord in whatever capacity he was able. He was an interim pastor at the Pinedale Baptist Church and was active at his church as a Sunday School teacher and choir member.
Bill was actively involved in the Southern Baptist Convention of California, serving as a member of the Executive Board from 1981-1985, in the Stewardship Department from 1976-1999 and as a Parliamentarian in 1964, 1969, 1974 and 1978. He was President of the California Southern Baptist Minister's conference in 1979. He served as President of the Clovis Ministerial Fellowship from 1963-1965, 1967-1970, 1975-1977. He was a member of the Southern Baptist Child Care Board from 1964-1967, and served as their Chairman in 1966 and 1967. He was Moderator of the Fresno Baptist Association from 1962-1964, and was elected the first Moderator of the Mid-Valley Southern Baptist Association when it was formed in October 1965, serving through 1966. He also served in the office of Clerk, from 1969-1978 and 1989-2000. Bill was recognized for his achievements and work in the field of Religion in "Who's Who" publications, the most recent being "Who's Who of the World 2002," "Who's Who in America 2001" and also in previous editions of "Who's Who in California" and "Who's Who in the West."
Bill was involved in the Clovis community. In the mid-1960's he was PTA President at Tarpey Elementary School, where he had five children in attendance at the time. He was Chairman of the Religion Committee of the Clovis Bicentennial Commission from 1975-1976, Chairman of the Financial Committee for the Clovis Civic Improvements Bond Committee in 1976 and was active in the Clovis Parks Advisory Committee from 1977-1978.
Survivors include his wife of 63 years, Maxine Davidson Smith, whom he married March 11, 1945 in Little Rock, AR.; 5 daughters, Carolyn Aldama and husband Fred, of Clovis, Virginia Bennett and husband Richard and Rebecca Tully and husband Reggie, of Fresno, Barbara Logan and husband Don, of Fairbanks, AK. and Patricia Bingham and husband Dave, of Overland Park, KS.; 2 sons, Don Smith, Sr. and wife Bev of Mojave, CA. and
Dwight Smith of Clovis; 19 grandchildren Greg and wife Thelma, Michelle and husband Jerry, Melissa and husband Don, Kathleen and husband Michael, Sarenna, Sean, Grace and husband Chirag, Jerry and
wife Stephanie, Ken, Nick and wife Becky, Crystal and husband Justin, Don, Alex and wife Jeannette, Cliff, John, Amanda, David, Kayla and Shyanne; 14 great grandchildren, Anne, Addison and Ian, Zachary, Danielle, Andrew and Caylee, Madison, Hunter, Tanner and Launa, Austin and Kerensa and Kaden; a sister, Shirley Strickland of Portland, OR., a brother, Jim Smith of Bend, OR. and many nieces, nephews and other relatives.
He was preceded in death by his parents; 1 brother, Jay Smith, Jr. of Oregon; 4 sisters, Juanita Nelson, Frances Blanchet, Gwen Graham and Gloria Sims of Oregon; a grandson Mark Aldama of Fresno and a great grandson Noah Ellis of Clovis.
Speaking at the funeral was Mark Curts. The pianist was Kathy McClue. Music was provided by Fred Aldama, Jerry Sickler and Ron Weinbrenner. Pallbearers were six of Bill's grandsons, Greg Aldama, Jerry Sickler II, Ken Sickler, Nick Sickler, Cliff Weinbrenner and D. J. Smith.
My Father - My Hero by Trisha Bingham
(Originally posted as a bulletin on MySpace, Nov 10, 2008 8:56 AM)
My Father passed away yesterday.
He was 82 years old.
My family was literally blessed by God to have him this long.
He has a massive stroke on 02/10/1989. The doctors said if he survived, he would
be a vegetable, and that would be a miracle. Not only did he survive, but he still had his
marvelous brain full of all his knowledge. He went on in the next 19 years to have a
quadruple heart bypass, a leg amputation due to complications related to the stroke
in 1989 and several heart attacks. His cardiologist was amazed at his strength and will
to survive.
He truly was a strong man!
He was the smartest person I ever knew. He was so intellectual that some people were
intimidated by it. Not me, he was my Daddy and I was his Baby Girl.
He and my Mother had been married for 63 years! That is so rare these days.
He loved my Mother so much. I remember reading what he wrote in Mother's day
cards he gave her over the years. She truly was the love of his life.
My Father was a Southern Baptist minister. He lived his life by what he preached.
He instilled his love of God in us.
He also told me growing up that I could do whatever I set my mind to do.
In school he said I could get A's if I wanted and I did!!
How many men can do this?
1 - Be married with several small children at home.
2 � Support that family financially.
3 � Graduate from a 4 year college in 2 years with a Bachelor of Arts Degree and
graduate Cum Laude (With Honors)?
That is exactly what my Dad did.
My heart is broken, but I know he is no longer suffering and is reunited with his
parents and loved ones who have already passed away.
Hebrews 11:1 "To have faith is to be sure of the things we hope for, to be
certain of the things we cannot see."
I have faith in my salvation in Jesus Christ and one day I will see my Father again.
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Guestbook
If you would like to add a comment to this guestbook, please send it in an email to dlogan@alaska.net
November 20, 2008
My thoughts and prayers have been with all of Uncle Bill's family as they mourned the loss of their dear husband, father, and grand-father. I know he will be terribly missed. But what a wonderful thing to know that He is with our Lord in a perfect body where we may all join him one day. I look forward to sitting with him and discussing all those books he read! My love to all the Bill Smith family.
Tammy Lansaw (Mission Viejo, CA)
November 17, 2008
To all the Smith Family, we send our sincere sympathy. We have only been fortunate to know Barbara Logan, and have been very blessed with her friendship. I can only imagine that all of the Smith family is as kind as she.
Know that you all are in our thoughts and prayers.
Jeff, Betsy and all the Retterer kids (Fairbanks, AK)
Betsy Retterer (Fairbanks, AK)
November 15, 2008
God bless you and your Maxine and Barbara (Logan). I am Deborah (Debbie) Davidson, granddaughter of John Thomas Davidson. My daughter, Olivia, mother, Shirley, brother, Jim and I live in Aurora, Colorado now.
Debbie Davidson
Deborah W. Davidson (Aurora, CO)
November 14, 2008
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time of loss. Barbara was a dear friend of mine at CBC, whom I recently gotten back in contact with. I remember her speaking highly of her parents.
God be with you.
Linda H. California
Linda Hodgens (Garden Grove, CA)
November 13, 2008
My thoughts and prayers are with you during this time. The loss of a beloved parent is difficult, the comfort of knowing they are with the Lord makes it somewhat easier.
Sincerely,
Joan E. Avery (aka Joanie!)
Joan Avery (Clovis, CA)
November 13, 2008
Our love and prayers are with Maxine, Virginia, Caroline, Barbara, Becca, Patricia, Dwight & Donald and their spouses, children & grandchildern. I was grateful for the opportunity to see my "Uncle Bill" in August at the Smith Family reunion. I will forever remember Uncle Bill. (Terrible Terrie!) He always brought a smile to my face and never let me down! Peace be with you all!
Dave & Terrie Emmons.
Terrie (Graham)Emmons (Sherwood, OR)
November 13, 2008
Maxine and Family, We send our loving thoughts. Bill was my fatherinlaw and maxine my motherinlaw when I was married to Don. Bill was a very special husband,father and grandfather. I really enjoyed the times that we spent together as a family when I was a part of it. I send my Love to all of you and your families he will always be in your heart. Love, Terry
Terry Lynn Kirby (Bonwell) (Prather, CA)
November 13, 2008
Thoughts and prayers are being sent to you by the Audas family.
Nella Audas (Fresno, CA)
November 13, 2008
Our sincere condolences go to the whole Smith Family. Although I haven't seen Uncle Bill in more years than I can count, I do remember the big family gatherings at Pa and Grans in Banks Arkansas. All the sisters with their families would come from all over the country. Uncle Bill always said grace for those huge feast that Gran and the Daughters would cook. I remember during one of the blessings I opened my eyes early to get a lay of the table before Bill was finished only to see him also eyeing the feast before us while delivering the Blessing. Yes, He'll be missed but not forgotten. God Bless. Tim Murphy and Family
Tim Murphy (Houston, TX)
November 13, 2008
Thinking about all of you at this difficult time. We know he is up in heaven enjoying himself.
Our heart felt condolences at this time, you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Doris(Dorrie) Osback-Rose (Clovis, CA)
November 13, 2008
Wishing the Smith Family all the comforts and peace that God has to offer as their Husband,Father,and Grandfather has earned. I have known Brother Bill for over 50 years. He was not only my Pastor for a few years but he was also Pastor to My Grandfather who was the Founder of Clovis First Southern Baptist Church (Rev Walter Brown) and my Grandmothers Pastor. Brother Bill always said what he meant. I was serving as his Music Director for a while after Allen Kurts and then I took a new job and had to work on Sunday so had to resign the Post of Music Director. Brother Bill said "What kind of a Christian would take a job where you have to work on Sundays. I always got a chuckle out of that but he WAS right. He was a great leader and I enjoyed being a member of his flock.
Ward Hollesen (Alturas, CA)
November 13, 2008
Both my sister, Paula Desgranges and myself want to send our condolences to the entire family.
Dale Desgranges (Kennewick, WA)
November 13, 2008
Thinking of you in this difficult time. You are in our prayers and thoughts.
Maxine's dad Robert Davidson and my grandmother Mary Davidson Ezell was brother and sister.
Brenda, Larniece & Charlie Ezell
Brenda Ezell (Warren, AR)
November 13, 2008
We know everyone will miss Bill's sweet spirit and joyful attitude! He was a blessing and inspiration to all who had the privilege of knowing him. Our most heart-felt condolences to Maxine and the entire family.
Love and prayers,
Ken and Linda Woolsey
Linda Woolsey (Coalinga, CA)
November 13, 2008
We love you and miss you, Daddy. Heaven rejoiced when you went "home." We rejoice in knowing that we will one day join you in that glorius place.
Barbara and Don Logan, and Grace and Chirag
Barbara Logan (Fairbanks, AK)
November 13, 2008
We will always remember Uncle Bill and the great family vacations in Arkansas. He was fun, and funny, and gave us all good advice when asked (and sometimes when not asked). This earth is a lesser place without him.
With love from the Parham family: nephews David, Bob and Kevin
David Parham (Sherrodsville, OH)
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"But thanks be to God, which giveth us
the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."
1 Corinthians 15:57
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