Obituary for William P. Smith
William “Bill” P. Smith, age 88, of Bonner Springs, KS., passed away on Monday, February 19th, 2024 at his home. A celebration of life gathering will be Friday, March 22nd, from 6-8 pm at the Harrington Family Event Center, 218 Oak St. Bonner Springs, KS., Private burial will follow at a later date in the Bonner Springs Cemetery.
Bill was born August 16th, 1935 in St Joseph, MO. Through his younger years, he grew up in Kansas City, MO. He attended Junction Grade School in Kansas City, KS and Turner High School, graduating in 1954. He then attended Baker University, Baldwin KS. Bill married his high school sweetheart, Dorothy L. (Stogsdill) Smith on Jan. 14, 1956, and they were married for 54 years. As a young couple, they lived in Wichita, KS for a short time while Bill was employed at Boeing. After moving to Bonner Springs, he was employed by CertainTeed Fiberglass as a line operator, where he spent his entire career until his retirement. Bill was very involved in youth sports and spent many summers umpiring in the WyCo leagues. He was an avid golfer and was a Marshal at Sunflower Hills Golf Course. Bill loved to fish, seeking out many a farm pond, as well as several fishing trips to Canada, along with numerous “fish stories” to tell. He was extremely compassionate to animals, not knowing a stray that he wouldn’t help.
Bill was preceded in death by his wife Dorothy; his father James Palmer Smith; His stepfather Bill Zemmer, his mother Georgia Davis; sisters Dottie (Zemmer) Simon and JoAnne Smith Brown; a brother James R. Smith, and son-in-law Thom Ziph. He was also preceded in death by his good friend and late-in-life love, Martha Cowart. Bill is survived by his daughters Brandon "Brandy" Ziph, Heather Tuttle and her husband John, and one son William “Bill” Smith, II and his wife Marisha, sister Teri (Zemmer) Supica, sister-in-law Becky Smith, six grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren.
Memorial contributions can be made to Bonner Animal Rescue or the City Union Mission.
Bill was born August 16th, 1935 in St Joseph, MO. Through his younger years, he grew up in Kansas City, MO. He attended Junction Grade School in Kansas City, KS and Turner High School, graduating in 1954. He then attended Baker University, Baldwin KS. Bill married his high school sweetheart, Dorothy L. (Stogsdill) Smith on Jan. 14, 1956, and they were married for 54 years. As a young couple, they lived in Wichita, KS for a short time while Bill was employed at Boeing. After moving to Bonner Springs, he was employed by CertainTeed Fiberglass as a line operator, where he spent his entire career until his retirement. Bill was very involved in youth sports and spent many summers umpiring in the WyCo leagues. He was an avid golfer and was a Marshal at Sunflower Hills Golf Course. Bill loved to fish, seeking out many a farm pond, as well as several fishing trips to Canada, along with numerous “fish stories” to tell. He was extremely compassionate to animals, not knowing a stray that he wouldn’t help.
Bill was preceded in death by his wife Dorothy; his father James Palmer Smith; His stepfather Bill Zemmer, his mother Georgia Davis; sisters Dottie (Zemmer) Simon and JoAnne Smith Brown; a brother James R. Smith, and son-in-law Thom Ziph. He was also preceded in death by his good friend and late-in-life love, Martha Cowart. Bill is survived by his daughters Brandon "Brandy" Ziph, Heather Tuttle and her husband John, and one son William “Bill” Smith, II and his wife Marisha, sister Teri (Zemmer) Supica, sister-in-law Becky Smith, six grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren.
Memorial contributions can be made to Bonner Animal Rescue or the City Union Mission.