Orville William "Bill" Smith passed away on April 5, 2024. He was born to Orville William Smith Sr. And Doris (Brown) Smith on January 23, 1931, in Concordia, KS.
Bill married Billie Jean Tharp on February 11, 1950.
In 1971, Bill and Billie were presented the opportunity to purchase what has become the B&B Mobile and RV Park in the Longmont/Erie area, located on the busy intersection of State Highway 52 and County Line Road. Together, they built a park which began with only ten spaces, which eventually expanded to over sixty spaces. They also added a state-of-the-art solar powered electricity system, and a self-contained waste treatment facility. Today, it continues to operate, with a stellar reputation as one of the nicest, most desired places to live in the state, with a constant long waiting list of prospective tenants! Bill was known and recognized for wearing yellow shirts. He could be spotted from afar in his signature bright yellow. Billie, an accomplished seamstress, always made sure Bill had a yellow work shirt daily as well as for all other occasions.
Bill was an avid car racing fan and was a well-known Colorado racer for many decades. He ran in the late model class into his mid-80s. Even in his later years he never lost his belief in being able to climb into his car again, he truly had a life well lived.
Bill is predeceased by his parents, a sister, and his loving wife, Billie Jean Smith in 2020. He is survived by his son Bill (Elisa) Smith, daughter Becky (Brian) Maitlen, son Blake Smith, and daughter Barbara (Craig) Berryman. Grandsons and granddaughters include Kevin (Lisa) Smith, Sean Smith, John (Elaine) Atherton, Blake (Steph) Smith Jr., Katie (Darnell) Fuller, Celina Ulibarri (Saira Anchondo), Julian (Jessica Brown) Ulibarri, Ben Maitlen, Hannah (Robbie Pearson) Maitlen, Cathy (Aaron) Staton, and Mehgan Berryman, 12 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
Billie and Bill have been stellar role models always displaying their love of all animals. Donations in memory of Bill Smith may be made to The Wild Animal Sanctuary in Keenesburg, CO at: (303) 536-0118 or, https://www.wildanimalsanctuary.org/donate No services are planned.