Billie Ray Smothers was born near Bernie to Marion Johns Smothers and Gretta Parker Smothers on July 18, 1930, and died in Aurora on Dec. 27, 2006, at the age of 76.

Bill served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Korean Conflict. He lived the majority of his adult life in the St. Louis area, living in the suburb of Florissant for 40 years. He retired from the custodial department of the Ferguson-Florissant School District in Florissant.

After the death of his sister Helen Smothers in 2004, he moved to Aurora to reside with his sister Lucille Quinn; and she survives.

Other survivors include a brother, Edward "Bus" Smothers of Dexter.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Leon; three sisters, Adell Crabtree, Mary Ruth Christ, and Helen Smothers.

Services were held Friday, Dec. 29, 2006, at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield.