AVA - William Eugene Smith, Jr., 62, of Ava, passed away at 9:36 pm, Thursday, October 23, 2014 at the Memorial Hospital in Carbondale, Illinois. William was born in Pekin, Illinois on December 4, 1951, the son of William E., Sr. and Joyce Hindman Smith. He was a retired sheet metal worker and a member of the Crain Baptist Church, Ava. William is survived by three children, William E. Smith III of Glasford, IL, Jeffrey Scott Smith of Washington, IL, and Kara Christian Smith of Rockford, IL; two grandchildren; two step grandchildren; Parents, William E. and Joyce Smith, Sr. of Ava; one sister, Linda Ann Smith of Ava; one brother, James Homer Smith of Ava; and several cousins, nieces and nephews. William was preceded in death by his grandparents. Funeral service will be held at 1:00 pm, Saturday, November 1, 2014 at the Wilson's Funeral Home in Ava with Rev. Gilbert Gee officiating. Burial will follow at Crain Cemetery in Ava. Visitation will be at Wilson's Funeral Home, Ava, where friends may call from 11 am until 1 pm Saturday. Memorials may be given to Crain Baptist Church. To sign the guestbook visit www.wilsonsfuneralhome.net.