PLYMOUTH – Billy James Smith, 88, a lifetime Plymouth resident, passed away June 28, 2016, in St. Joseph Regional Medical Center, Mishawaka. He was born April 8, 1928, in Plymouth, to Carl R. and Orpha M Sisk Smith. On Oct. 23, 1954, in Warsaw, he took the former Kay F. Morgan as his bride and love of his life. She preceded him in death Sept. 28, 2011. Together they enjoyed travel, spending winters in the Lake Placid area of Florida and attending the many sporting events of their grandchildren. His happiest times were those spent at family get-togethers. He graduated from Plymouth’s Lincoln High School with the class of 1946. During the Korean Conflict, he served in the United States Army until 1953. He was a member of the Marshall County VFW Post 1162 and American Legion Post 27. He was a lineman and then general foreman with NIPSCO for 41 years, retiring in 1988. He was also a member of the Plymouth Moose Family Center No. 741 and Plymouth Eagles Lodge. He enjoyed fishing, especially in Minnesota, and coin collecting as well as weekly card games at the Life Enrichment Center. Surviving are a son and daughter-in-law, Robin D. and Diana Smith, Plymouth, and their three children, Trenton, Preston and Trisha; a daughter and son-in-law, Carol A. and Mike Stockberger, Walkerton, and their children, Derek, Stacy and Desrah; Gayle (and spouse Phillip) Smith, a daughter-in-law, Plymouth, with children, Elizabeth, Sean and Andrea; 11 great-grandchildren; and his Pomeranian companion, Dakota. He was preceded in death by a son, Phillip J. Smith. Services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Johnson-Danielson Funeral Home, Plymouth, with the Rev. Alan Robinson officiating. Military honors will immediately follow at the funeral home, provided by members of Plymouth American Legion Post 27, Veterans of Foreign Wars – Marshall County Post 1162 and the D.A.V. Burial will be in the Oakhill Cemetery at a later date. Calling is from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at Christian Fellowship Church, Middlebury. ***** Memorial to the ALS Foundation – Indiana Chapter, 6525 E. 82nd St., Suite 115, Indianapolis, IN 46250. Condolences may be sent to the family through the website at www.johnson-danielson.com
