William ‘Bill’ E. Smith

September 21, 1943-November 20, 2017

William E. Smith, 74, a longtime Rush County resident, passed away Nov. 20, 2017, in Rushville, Ind. He was born Sept. 21, 1943, in Batesville to Ervin D. and Dorothy Belle (Hammons) Smith.

Bill spent his early life in Rush County and then his family moved to Shelbyville, Ky., where he was a 1962 graduate of Shelby County High School. He went to Eastern Kentucky University and then studied electronics in Evansville, Ind.

He married Nancy Clemmons on July 17, 1965, and they returned to Rush County in 1974. Bill was a grain merchandiser, farmer and entrepreneur in agribusiness.

He owned and operated Rush County Grain/Morristown Grain and Lotus Grain, and also owned/operated his own short-line railroad. He served on the board and as consultant to the ECDC in Rush County.

Bill always had a real zest for life, for his family and for his many business ventures. He enjoyed flying his ultralight plane he had built and he also enjoyed riding motorcycles. He was a longtime member and past deacon and trustee of the Rushville First Baptist Church.

He is survived by his wife, Nancy, of Rushville; daughters Shannon (Nathan) Schmidt of Holland, Mich., and Leslie Stock of Napa, Calif.; son Chris (Caroline) Smith of Rush County; sisters Donna Jean Runner of Sealy, Texas, Judy Vandenburg of Sellersburg, Ind., and Sally (Don) Heffke of Laughlin, Nev.; and grandchildren Allie, Kristen, Jenna and Olivia Smith and Konrad Schmidt.

Services were held Nov. 25 in the Rushville First Baptist Church. Graveside services were held Nov. 27 in the Grove Hill Cemetery in Shelbyville, Ky., following visitation at Shannon Funeral Service in Shelbyville, with Rev. Dr. Dave Richardson presiding. Moster Mortuary of Rushville handled arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to Gideon's International or to the Rushville First Baptist Church.