William ‘Bill’ George Smith, Jr.

ESCANABA — William “Bill” George Smith, Jr., age 72, of Escanaba passed away Saturday, January 13, 2024, at his home in Escanaba. He was born December 10, 1952 in Escanaba, Mich., and was the son of William George and Elizabeth Jean (Bengston) Smith, Sr. Bill graduated from Escanaba High School and then served in the U.S. Army from March 5, 1972, until he was honorably discharged on March 5, 1974. While serving in Vietnam, he received the National Defense Service Medal, a Sharpshooter Badge, a Vietnam Service Medal, and a Vietnam Campaign Medal. Bill was employed at Clare Bedding Company in Escanaba until his retirement in 2013. He was a very quiet and artistic person, but he had a great passion for stock car racing and enjoyed attending the local stock car races.

Bill is survived by his sisters, Debbie Koster (Dan Kolich) of Escanaba and Sandi (Jim) Bouty of Escanaba; brother, Jim Smith of San Francisco, Calif.; beloved nieces and nephews, Cindy (Chad) Beall of Colorado, Deanna Caswell of Escanaba, Jeremy (Cara) Koster of Wetmore, Shannon (Matt) Scheuren of Escanaba and John Koster of Escanaba.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by brothers, Rickie Smith, Jerry Depostie and Joseph Depostie and sister, Lori Schlau.

Burial and Military Rites will take place in the spring of the year in the Lakeview Cemetery in Escanaba, Mich. The Anderson Funeral Homes of Escanaba and Gladstone are assisting the Smith family with the arrangements and online condolences can be sent to the family at www.andersonfuneralhomes.net.