AVA – William E. Smith, Sr., 87, of Ava, passed away at 9:00 pm, Tuesday, December 19, 2017 at home.

William was born in Havana, Illinois, on August 15, 1930, the son of James and Lidia Crum Smith.  He married Joyce H. Hindman on July 2, 1949 at Forrest City, Illinois.  He was retired from Central Illinois Light Co. in Peoria, Illinois.  William attended Crain Baptist Church, Ava.  He was a member of the Peoria Motorcycle Club.

William is survived by his wife, Joyce Smith of Ava; daughter, Linda Ann (Luke Cox) Smith of Ava; son, James H. Smith of Ava; four grandsons, William E. (Lamia) Smith III, Shannon H. (Joan) Walden, Jeffrey S. Smith, Zedekiah S. Smith; four great grandchildren, Tony Joe Smith, Kyle Walden, Henry Walden, DeLany Walden and Josh Harris; and two great great granddaughters, Navya Harris and Tegham Raye Smith.

William was preceded in death by his Parents; one son, William J. Smith, Jr. and one sister, Jaunita Grove.Funeral service will be held at 11:00 am, Wednesday, December 27, 2017 at Wilson's Funeral Home, Ava, with Rev. Tim Olson officiating.  Burial will follow at Crain Cemetery, Ava.  Visitation will be at Wilson's Funeral Home, Ava, where friends may call from 4 pm until 7 pm on Tuesday and on Wednesday from 7:30 am until 11 am.  Memorials may be given to Crain Baptist Church of Crain Cemetery.