William "Buzzy" Smith

Age 84 of Diamond, Illinois died Sunday, July 2, 2023 at Lightways Hospice Home in Joliet, Illinois.

Born June 18, 1939 in Morris, Illinois, William Dale was a son of William Edward and Velma (Albrecht) Smith. He was raised in Coal City and attended Coal City High School. On October 8, 1960, Buzzy married Patricia A. Smith at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in South Wilmington, and together they made a home and raised their family.

Buzzy’s employment entailed working at Stonebridge in Wilmington, Peabody Coal Company, Caterpillar Tractor Company, and Amoco Chemical. He drove a truck for various trucking companies, and retired from A&R Trucking in 2003. He served as a volunteer with the Coal City Emergency Squad and Coal City Fire Department; was a member of the Coal City Area Club, and held an interim position as Mayor of Diamond.

One who enjoyed a varied genre of music from AC/DC to Linda Ronstadt, Buzzy also took pleasure in watching Westerns. He was the first to pitch in to assist anyone in need of a move, and will be remembered for his creativity at the stove as the “Omelet King”.

Buzzy was a devoted husband, father and ‘Bumpa’. A hard worker and a lover of all people, he was a friend to many and a stranger to none. Buzzy never seemed to have a hard time meeting new people and making everyone he met feel comfortable in his presence. His wonderful sense of humor and genuine interest in having fun will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.

Survivors include his wife of 62 years, Pat; four children: Amy Neal of Decatur, Illinois, Bill (Lisa) Smith of Coal City, Susan (Dan) Alsip of Diamond and Scott (Jean) Smith of Overland Park, Kansas; grandchildren: Meghan (Scott) Hodgen of Coal City, Marcie (Craig) Ewenson of Ottawa, Illinois, Brett (Patti) Smith and Alec Smith, both of Coal City and Brandon (Ana) Neal of Richardson, Texas; great grandchildren: Addison and Averie Hodgen and Hudson and Bryson Smith; one brother, David (Linda) Smith of Diamond; sister, Paula (Bob) Runty of Covington, Louisiana and two sisters-in-law, Cathy Mahaney of Mt. Carroll, Illinois and Jane (Skip) Rader of Loves Park, Illinois, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Buzzy was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Jack (Carol) Smith and two sisters: Betty (Max) Cullum and Velma (Ron) Doty.

The family will receive friends for a visitation at Reeves Funeral Home, 75 North Broadway (one block north of Illinois Route 113) in Coal City on Wednesday, July 5, 2023 between the hours of 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Funeral services will follow on Thursday morning, July 6, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. in the funeral home.

Burial will be in Mount Olivet Catholic Cemetery in Wilmington. Pallbearers will be: Brett Smith, Alec Smith, Craig Ewenson, Scott Hodgen, Dan Alsip and Dennis Smith, and Brandon Neal will be an honorary pallbearer.

Preferred memorials may be made as gifts in Buzzy’s memory to Lightways Hospice, 250 Water Stone Circle, Joliet, IL 60431.

Family and friends are encouraged to log onto www.ReevesFuneral.com to sign the guest book, upload photographs and share Buzzy’s memorial page online through social media.