Billie M. "Wild Bill" Smith Obituary (1936

Billie M. “Wild Bill” Smith age 80 of Blair passed away January 18, 2017 at the Louisville Care center in Louisville, Nebraska. A memorial service will be held Thursday, January 26th at 2:00 PM at Campbell Aman Funeral Home in Blair. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Bill was born on July 18, 1936 in Hastings, NE the son of Jesse and Cleo Mackey Smith. He graduated from Blair High School in 1955. He worked as a shoe salesman at The Bootery in Blair and later went into business for himself crafting leather making wallets, belts, checkbooks and many various items and artwork. He would come to be known as “Wild Bill” as he traveled with his growing business to popular area destinations including Estes Park, CO and Apache Junction, AZ with the Barleen Family. Wild Bill retired in his home town of Blair. He is survived by his children: daughter Debbie (Rick) Contreras of Bellevue, NE, son Mark (Linda) Smith of Jacksonville, FL, son Nate (Holly) Smith of Jarrell, TX, daughter Niki (Mark) Wulf of Blair, NE, son Dan (Becky) Smith of Omaha; 13 grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren, 3 nieces and many friends and extended family. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother Jack Smith of Blair, NE. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family for later designation.