Bill entered into rest May 19, 2014, at Royal Plaza Care Center in Lewiston. He was 94. Bill was born July 21, 1919, in Harpster, the son of Warren M. Sr. and Frances Wickam Smith. Between the first and third grades, he attended school in Kooskia, Grangeville, Reubens and John Day Creek. For part of the first grade, he was taught by his mother while living at a road camp located up the Selway River. In 1929, the family moved to the light plant on the South Fork of the Clearwater River, after which he attended Rocky Point until completion of the eighth grade. Boarding with one family and another, he attended high school in Grangeville, Orofino, Harpster and graduated from Kooskia High School in 1938.
Entering the U.S. Army in October 1940, he arrived in the Philippine Islands a month later. He was captured by the Japanese on May 6, 1942, and was among the first prisoners of war transported to Japan to work with a pick and shovel digging a naval dry dock. On Aug. 13, 1945, he walked away from camp and made his way several hundred miles to Tokyo, where he made contact with American forces on Sept. 11, 1945.
In November 1945, he married his high school sweetheart, the former Lilas N. Watson of Kooskia.
Remaining in the military service, he served in Korea with the 124th Infantry, 4Oth Division, from the spring of 1952 until the peace was signed in August 1953. After more than 20 years of service, he retired from the Army Dec. 31, 1960. During military service, he received numerous medals, citations and ribbons.
In January 1961, he obtained employment with Idaho State Department of Employment in Orofino, but a short time later was transferred to the Lewiston office. In April 1967, he was promoted to manager of the Salmon office, a position he held until retirement in 1978. In 1991, the family returned to Lewiston and purchased property in the Lewiston Orchards.
Mr. Smith was a lifetime member and the past commander of the Disabled American Veterans, Veteran of Foreign Wars and American Legion Posts in Salmon and the past commander of the Northwest Chapter of the American Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor. He was a longtime member of Mount Idaho Lodge No. 9, AF and AM Lodge in Grangeville. At different times, he held a dual membership in Nez Perce Lodge No. 10 in Lewiston and Lemhi Lodge No. 11 in Salmon. He was a 32nd-degree Scottish Rite Mason, Valley of Boise.
He is survived by his wife, Lilas Smith; three daughters, Brenda Rae (Norman) Wigen of Spokane, M. Jean Heartburg of Clarkston and Karla Sue (Mark) VonLindern of Lewiston; granddaughters Kim (Chuck) Wigen-Dewey, Krista D. Ankenman and Brandy (Jamie) L. Lee; grandsons Jason M. (Kelly) VonLindern, Ben L. (Chandi) VonLindern and Rolf A. Heartburg; as well as 12 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister Hazel Wells.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. May 31 at Malcom's Brower-Wann Funeral Home. The family suggests that memorial donations be made to St. Joseph Family Hospice.
Note: "Everyone should write their own obituary. Not only can a person perhaps have some control over what is written about him, but he also has the opportunity to make himself appear more important than he really was." - Bill Smith
Service Information
- Date & Time
- Saturday, May 31, 1:00 PM
- Additional Details
- Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. May 31 at Malcom's Brower-Wann Funeral Home. The family suggests that memorial donations be made to St. Joseph Family Hospice.
Condolences
Rolf Heartburg
You taught me so much...about everything, especially love and courage. Thank you for showing me all the things that matter. I love you, grandpa.
Wednesday, February 1, 2023 10:55 PM
Jean Heartburg
I love you, Dad
Saturday, January 17, 2015 3:14 PM
Offer Condolences
Professional Service
✔ Since 1924
✔ Burial or Cremation Services
✔ Pre-Arranged Funeral Plans
✔ Web-Casting
✔ Modern Comfortable Facility
✔ Up-To-Date Audio/Video
Contact Information
1711 18th StreetLewiston, Idaho 83501
P: (208) 743-4578
F: (208) 743-9453
E-mail: malcoms@malcomsfuneralhome.com
The administrative offices are open Monday - Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday are by appointment only.
1711 18th Street