Thomas W. “Bill” Smith, 82, died Feb. 23, 2009 in Happy Valley.

He was born April 23, 1926 in Canyon City to Clarence Eugene and Pearle (Ferguson) Smith. He lived in John Day for all but the last few months of his life, when he and his wife Gloria moved to Happy Valley.

During World War II he joined the U.S. Navy and was in the Pacific and the Philippines from Oct. 1944 to Jan. 1946. He married Gloria LeRoy on Feb. 3, 1946.

He began working as an apprentice meat cutter for his stepfather, Frank Chester, in Chester’s Market, and in 1962, they became partners. After Chester’s retirement, Mr. Smith became owner of the store. In 1972, he built a new, modern supermarket that became a Thriftway store. It is the only large store of its kind in Grant County.

He served several terms on the board of directors for United Grocers, a wholesale cooperative, including a term as chairman of the board. He was very dedicated to the concept of locally-owned, independent grocers.

Early in his career, he had mentors who helped him, most notably Chester and Andy Jacobson, a merchandiser with United Grocers. He became a mentor himself, providing advice and assistance to several others in the industry and community to start their own businesses.

He was very active in John Day and Grant County. He was a member of the fire department for 13 years, including the position of assistant fire chief and five years as fire commissioner. In 1958 he was elected president of the Grant County Chamber of Commerce and was mayor of John Day from 1968 to 1970. He also belonged to American Legion Ellis Tracy Post 77 and John Day Elks Lodge 1824.

He and his wife enjoyed many trips to Europe, China, Australia, New Zealand and Hawaii with fellow grocers from United. They also took several trips in their RV around the United States, from Alaska to New England.

He enjoyed traveling, woodworking, hunting, boating and fishing, and mostly visiting with the many friends he saw in the store. He and his wife were fans of 1940s big band music and traveled to dances around the Pacific Northwest with friends. He also attended the dedication of the World War II Veterans’ Memorial in 2004 in Washington, D.C.

Survivors include his wife Gloria of Happy Valley; sons, Robert (Susan) of Gresham and Thomas (Anna) of John Day; daughter Connie of Milwaukie; nephew, Chester (Jeanne) Day of John Day; grandchildren, Frank Smith of Milwaukie, Kenneth Stovall and Deana (Kevin) Gartner of York, Neb., Monica (Matt) Hammack of Sherwood, Bryan Smith and Gillian (Josh) Williams of Vancouver, Wash., Elizabeth-Anne (Ryan) Wells of Oak Harbor, Wash., Stevin Smith of John Day, Kristina (Jere) Gorsline of Pasco, Wash., and Rose St. Denis of Portland; and great-grandchildren, Karen Stovall, Tony and Dale Sweek, Chase and Conner Gartner, Mya and Jackson Hammack, and soon-to-be-born Kylin Wells.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Clarence Robert; and a nephew, Gary Day.

Memorial Services will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, March 14, at the United Methodist Church, 126 NW Canton Street in John Day. A reception will follow the services. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Friends of Kam Wah Chung and Co. Museum, P.O. Box 663, John Day, OR 97845.

Sunnyside Little Chapel of the Chimes in Happy Valley is in charge of the arrangements. They may be reached at 503-659-1184.