Cowlitz County WA Archives Obituaries.....Smith, James Willard     December 17, 2005
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
P. J. Stepp steppmom5@hotmail.com April 12, 2006, 8:57 pm

Published in The Daily News on 12/30/2005.
  
 James Willard passed away peacefully at his home on December 17, 2005 and will 
be missed by all who knew him.

James Willard was born February 13, 1926, in Eau Galle, Wisconsin to Nellie 
(Canning) and Carl F. Smith. He was the third of six children with two older 
sisters and three younger brothers. He began school in Elmwood, Wisconsin, but 
in 1936 the family moved to Longview, Washington, where his father had a job 
with Long Bell. Jim met Leona Eisenbarth at Fibre where they both worked in the 
same bag plant. They were married September 5, 1953 and were together for 52 
years. They had four children: LeeRoy Smith, Sonja Reed, Carla Smith, and Jimmy 
Smith. They had four grandchildren: Lori and Matthew Smith, and Steven and 
Michael Reed, and numerous nieces and nephews. There were many family outings, 
and they were always a good time, especially at the cabin in Ocean Park. There 
were also memorable outings in the van with Tia the pug. And there were the 
every-Sunday potlucks gathering with his brothers and sisters and their 
families. In 1960, while Jim was still working at Fibre, he and Leona bought 
the St. Helens Inn on Oregon Way in Longview. For five years they operated the 
hotel, restaurant, and tavern and lived in an apartment there. It proved too 
difficult with three small children and a live-in babysitter, so they sold it 
and moved. Jim continued to work at Fibre as a bag machine adjuster for 45 
years, retiring in 1988. He and Leona sold their house and bought a motor home. 
They lived in it for five years, traveling extensively across the US and 
wintering in Yuma, Arizona. Jim could drive for hours without tiring. When they 
sold the motor home, they continued to winter in Yuma and also moved 
permanently to the property at Ocean Park where Jim and his brother Pete had 
built a house in the late 60's. Jim was always active, keeping his hands busy 
and his mind sharp. He was a tinkerer who could spend all day in his shed 
trying to get things to work, repairing the things he bought at garage 
sales. "Grandpa could fix anything!" He was a lifetime member of the Elks, a 
member of the Eagles, and a member of AWPPW local 153. James Willard Smith 
worked hard and played hard. He had a great sense of humor and was fun to be 
around. He was easy going, easy to get along with and well liked. He lived a 
full life in the love of his family. Please sign the guest book at 
www.tdn.com/obits  


Additional Comments:
The Daily News, Longview, WA   www.tdn.com

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