Wilbur J. Smith

Will Smith, age 82, passed away Monday, March 6, 2006 in a Forest County nursing home. He was born May 9, 1923 in Milwaukee, son of the late Alphonsus and Martha (Baerwald) Smith. On June 28, 1952, he married the former Florence Schmitz. She preceded him in death on April 2, 1971. On November 14, 1981, Will married Cleo Berzill Hawley; she survives. He attended Marquette University in Milwaukee, majoring in law and engineering, and was employed by the Honeywell Corporation for over thirty years. He retired in 1983. Will was a proud member of the United States Navy, and served two years during World War II aboard an amphibious LST. Will enjoyed traveling with Cleo, especially to Las Vegas. In 1987, he and Cleo moved "up north" from Appleton – "up north" is where his heart will always be. At his place in Forest County, he enjoyed fishing from his "toon" boat, cooking turkeys for the Roberts Lake Association Memorial Day Party, and the visits from family and friends which filled his little cabin with big fun. He was a huge fan of eating chocolate, bragging about his grandchildren and wishing everyone "Happy Holidays!"

Will is survived by his wife of twenty four years: Cleo Smith of Wabeno; four children: Marilee (Al) Grall of Appleton; Natalie (Abdul) Ben-Zikri of Madison; Brian (Tami) Smith of Bend, Oregon; and Barbara (Kurt) Cannon of West Bend. There are three step-children: Randy (Christine) Calder of Menasha; Kim (Rick) Dennis of Fremont; and Scott (Theresa) Hawley of Black Creek; thirteen grandchildren: Ben, Adam, Sammy Will, Erin, Matthew, Gregory, Kyle Wilbur, Aaron, Jina, Jodi, Samantha, Cassandra, and Nicholas; three great-grandchildren: Shayde, Shyen, and Wynter. Will is also survived by three sisters-in-law: Louise Smith, Lois Calmes, and Betty Kluge, as well as a step-daughter-in-law Cathy Hoffman Calder. He was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife Florence, brothers Dr. Franklin Smith and Vernon Smith; brothers-in-law Spence Calmes and Reno Kluge; a sister-in-law Lenore Smith; and a step-son Terry Calder.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 PM on Friday, March 10, 2006 at the funeral home chapel with Rev. Gary Nokleberg of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church officiating. Interment will follow in Menasha's St. Mary Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home on Friday morning from 11:00 AM until the hour of the service. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund is being established.

Will's family will forever remember his sense of humor and his many words of wisdom. So many times he sang "School days, school days" to his grandchildren. He also often warned them about what it would be like when they got out into the "real world." He will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved him.

WICHMANN FUNERAL HOME
3212 S. Oneida Street
Appleton, WI 54915
920- 831-9905