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*EAST PEORIA *- Roy E. Smith, 87, of East Peoria died at 11:50 p.m. Wednesday, April 8, 2009, at his home.

He was born July 24, 1921, to Verna (Merritt) and Robert Smith in Mount Vernon, Ill.

He married Ella Bernice Easley on Oct. 24, 1942, in St. Louis, Mo., and they celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary last year. She survives.

Also surviving are seven sons, Ralph (Lavern) of Nashville, Ill., Patrick (Mary Ann) of Peoria, John of East Peoria, Paul (Arlene) of Chillicothe, James (Kathy) of Orlando, Fla., Timothy of East Peoria and Daniel (Kim) of Rockford; two daughters, Elaine Elser (Larrie) of Sheridan, Mont., and Susan Patten of East Peoria; one brother, Ralph; and one sister, Roberta.

Preceding him in death were his parents; one son, Stephen; and five brothers, Dime, Floyd, Sidney, Claude and Dick.

He had 16 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

He was employed for 43 years by Illinois Bell Telephone Company, from 1939 to 1982, when he retired. He started as a lineman and worked his way up through many technical positions to Toll Wire Chief. He was well-respected by his colleagues as a troubleshooter of almost legendary renown. He was project supervisor for many high-profile cutovers and projects. He was chief steward of IBEW as a craftsman in Mount Vernon and was a fair and generous supervisor and manager, gaining the respect of union employees and upper management alike.

He was a member of the Telephone Pioneers of America for more than 30 years.

He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Morton since his return to Illinois from Florida in 2005. He was a church deacon for many years, and was a faithful and dedicated churchgoer and servant of God his entire life.

He loved to play bridge and golf, and belonged to several bridge clubs.

He never met a stranger and would engage any person he met in conversation.

He could fix anything that broke, and there was no subject that he did not fully understand, or speak intelligently about.

He was dearly loved by his family and friends, and will be missed terribly by those closest to him.

He was an honest and honorable man of conviction, and his passing will sadden the hearts of those whose lives he touched. We shall not see his like again in this life.

A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Monday, April 13, 2009, at the First Baptist Church of Morton. There will be additional funeral services in Mount Vernon, Ill. Visitation will be Wednesday, April 15, 2009, at the Hughey Funeral Home from 5 to 7 p.m. The funeral will be at Hughey Funeral Home on Thursday, April 16, 2009, at 10:30 a.m., with the Rev. Wendell Garrison officiating. Interment will be in Williams Cemetery in Jefferson County, Ill. Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Hughey Funeral Home, where you may call (618) 242-3348 or visit www.hugheyfuneralhome1969.com for further information and to send condolences.

Source: Journal Star of Peoria, IL
Date: April 11, 2009
Submitted by: Susan Armstrong