William "Walter" Smith, 89, of Cahokia, Illinois, born February 4, 1931 in Benton, Illinois, died Saturday, January 2, 2021 at his residence.

Walter was retired from Preston Trucking in St. Louis, MO. He was a member of Teamsters Local 600 and the First Baptist Church of Columbia, IL. He was also a long time member of the former Maplewood Park Baptist Church in Cahokia, IL. He was a U.S. Army Korean War veteran and was a former Cub Scout leader. Walter enjoyed fishing, hunting, wood working and spending time with his family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Olen and Thekla, nee Musback, Smith; a son, Kevin Smith; a grandson, Eli Montgomery-Smith; and a sister, Anita Vern Lampley.

Surviving are his loving wife of 69 years, Maxine Smith, nee Jones; two sons, Gary (Ginger) Smith of Barnhart, MO and Marty (Barb) Smith of St. Jacob, IL; a daughter-in-law, Kelly Eckelkamp of Washington, MO; six grandchildren, Kristi (Jim) House, Jeff (Sonya) Smith, Drew Smith, Brent (Jessica) Smith, Tate (Kayla) Montgomery-Smith and Jackson Montgomery-Smith; and eight great grandchildren. He was also a dear brother-in-law, uncle, cousin, and friend.

Condolences may be expressed online at braunfh.com.

Friends may call from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 9, 2021, at Braun Family Funeral Home, Columbia, Illinois. Funeral services will follow at the funeral home, with Pastor Jonathan Peters officiating. (CDC guidelines will be followed.) A private burial will be held at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, St. Louis, Missouri.