Smith, William K. 'Bill'

William K. “Bill” Smith, 56 of North Liberty, died peacefully Sunday, Dec. 18, 2011, at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City, surrounded by his family.

Bill was born Dec. 17, 1955, in Keokuk, Iowa, the son of Richard and Waneta (McNally) Smith. He was raised in Burlington until his senior year in high school when his family returned to Keokuk, where he graduated from school. He married Mary Fahner in 1978, and the couple and their family lived in Hamilton, Ill. He divorced and later married Darlene Wright and they lived in Warsaw, Ill., until moving to the Iowa City area in 1987. Bill had been associated with IAC/Lear/UTA/Sheller Globe for over 34 years in both Iowa City and Keokuk, having to retire due to his health.

He was a member of the North Liberty Optimist, First United Methodist Church of North Liberty and the North Liberty Car Show Committee. He loved his family, friends, old cars and boating.

His family includes his wife, Darlene; son and his wife, Bill and Kim Smith of North Liberty; grandchildren, Derek and Staci (Mario); great-grandchildren, Adrian, Nathan and Alex; sister, Pam Hollister; brother, Mike (Bert) Smith; brother-in-law and his wife, Glenn and Susan Wright; and nieces and nephews, Stephanie, David, Breana and Jason, Bob, John and Becky and their families.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Waneta; his daughter, Amy; grandparents; mother-in-law, Elsie Wright; and brother-in-law, Gary Wright.

Bill and his family would like to thank all who have continued to support all of them during the last few years of Bill's illness. Bill knew this day would come, he had made plans for this time and his plans included helping those still alive through the miracle of giving at the time of his death through the Iowa Donor Network.

In accordance to Bill's wishes, a very casual, comfortable, jeans and T-shirts type of get together will be held to celebrate his life sometime in mid-January at the First United Methodist Church in North Liberty, (time and date will be announced later).

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in his memory to the First United Church of North Liberty or the Food Pantry of North Liberty.

Online condolences may be sent for his family through the web at .

Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service is caring for Bill's family and his arrangements.

Published in The Gazette Dec. 20, 2011.