William Elias Smith

William Elias Smith Jr. 78 of Cottonwood, AZ passed away on Saturday, May 17, 2014. He was born in Deposit, NY on September 20, 1935 to the late William and Lucy Smith. William served in the US Navy for ten years and was aboard the USS Forrestal, USS Valley Forge and USS Lakehurst; he also participated in the Cuban Missile Crisis as part of the US Naval blockade. William was a strong and loving father that took great pride in his children and grandchildren ensuring that they had a wonderful childhood experience. He was deeply involved in such organizations as the Boy Scouts of America. He worked on the Verde Canyon Railroad for many years and was a long distance truck driver for over 30 years. William received a civil heroics award for placing his own life in jeopardy to save a group of elementary school children. He used his own tractor trailer to block an incoming 20 ton roll of steel from a jack knifed truck. Pop was preceded in depth by his wife of 49 years, Joyce Elaine Welch-Smith, and will be deeply missed by his surviving loved ones, 5 children, 15 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren. There are no services planned. An online guestbook is available to sign at www.westcottfuneralhome.com