William Smies

William “Bill” E. Smies, age 87 of Courtland passed away on Sunday, December 29, 2013 at the Republic County Hospital, Belleville Kansas.  Bill was born February 9, 1926 on his family farm at White Rock, Kansas, to Ernest H. and Winifred (Alexander) Smies. He attended school at White Rock and graduated from Lovewell High School in 1943.  He enlisted in the Army Air Corp in 1944, served as Sergeant in WWII, and was honorably discharged in 1946. He attended Kansas State University and graduated with an Agricultural Degree in 1950. He was a member of the Farmhouse Fraternity.  He returned to Courtland, Kansas and lived at White Rock, working on the family farm with his older brothers. He was joined in marriage to Lois M. Cutshaw in July 1957 and two children were adopted into their family, Susan and Donald.  Bill was a member of the Courtland United Methodist Church, Courtland Masonic Lodge, American Legion, Scotish Rite, and the Shrine.  He became the Office Manager for the Kansas Bostwick Irrigation District in Courtland.  He and his family moved into Courtland at that time.  Bill lost Lois in March of 1987. In 2005, he moved to be with his son, Donald, wife Missy and grandchildren Kyla, Kena, William and Jack, and continued residing in Council Grove, Kansas until August of 2011 when he moved to Wesley Towers in Hutchinson, Kansas. He was ready to go home and moved to the Belleville Healthcare Center in September 2013 where he was happy to reconnect with friends.  Bill is preceded in death by his parents, wife, Lois, sister, Margaret, brothers John and Henry.  Survived by son, Donald and his wife, Missy  of Fairview, Montana, daughter, Susan Clark of Austin, Texas, sister Mary Elizabeth Lauren of Bellingham, Washington, brother-in-law Howard Kitterman, Manhattan, KS,  four nieces, six nephews, 6 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held Friday, January 3, 2014, at 2:00pm, at the Courtland United Methodist Church with burial services following at the White Rock Cemetery.  Those who wish to visit may do so following burial at the church.  Visitation will be Thursday evening at Tibbetts-Fischer Funeral home in Belleville, Kansas with the family greeting friends from 6-8 pm.  Memorials may be made through the funeral home or Swedish American State Bank for the Courtland Community Gardens Project.  Tibbetts-Fischer funeral Home, Belleville is in charge of these arrangements.