William "Bill" N. Smith

William N. Smith, 80, of East Leroy, Michigan passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 18, 2022 at home.

He was born on November 30, 1941 to Cecil and Ruth (Ellis) Smith in Chapmanville, West Virginia. On March 17, 1963, he married Sarah Beckelheimer in Cleveland, Ohio.

He started his working career in Cleveland, Ohio at Bethlehem Steel Co. Bill then came to Battle Creek in 1970 and managed 2 Gulf gas stations. He decided to get out of the gas station business and open his own trucking company, Bill Smith Trucking, with one truck in 1978.   The business prospered and eventually grew to 25 trucks. He mainly hauled steel from Gary, Indiana to Detroit, Michigan. Lastly his company was hauling sand and gravel/asphalt  for local road construction jobs.

Bill loved antique and vintage cars; his favorite was his 1959 Corvette. He also enjoyed watching NASCAR, western movies and spending winters in Florida.

William is survived by his loving wife; Sarah, his son; Charles Smith of Battle Creek, Michigan; his two brothers, Robert (Peggy) Smith of Battle Creek, Michigan and Ray Smith of Altoona, Florida and his sister, Virginia (Jim) Lambert of Ferrellsburg, West Virginia.

He was preceded in death by his parents; Father, Cecil Smith, Mother, Ruth Smith, his son; William Edward Smith and his brother; Okey Smith.

A visitation for Bill will take place on Saturday, September 24, 2022, from 11:00 am -1:00 pm at Kempf Family Funeral & Cremation Services, 2838 Capital Ave. SW, Battle Creek, Michigan 49015 with the funeral service following at 1:00 pm at the funeral home.

Burial of his cremated remains will take place at a later date in West Virginia.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the American Diabetes Association.

Please visit https://www.kempffuneralhome.com to view the online obituary, to sign the online guest book or to leave the family condolences.