Billy Blair Smith

Billy Blair Smith, 87, of Rockland, Idaho, passed away on June 18, 2024. Billy was born in Ucon, Idaho to Charles Isaac and Audrey Paul Smith on November 26, 1936. Billy and his twin brother Teddy were born on Thanksgiving Day. Billy was the first twin born by sixteen minutes.

Billy enjoyed growing up in a small town and enjoyed school. He got good grades and was involved in sports from grade school through high school. Billy graduated from Bonneville High School in 1955.

Billy joined the United States Air Force in November 1955.

Billy returned to the United States in October 1959 and left the Air Force for a time, but soon realized that civilian life was not for him. He returned to the Air Force in December 1959 and was re-assigned back to Fukuoka, Japan. This is when and where Billy met his wife of 52 years, Ikuko (Nancy) Kosako. Nancy and Billy were married on July 25, 1962. They returned to the United States in February 1963 where they welcomed their only son, Charles Blair Smith, into the world in January 1964.

While in the Air Force Billy was stationed in California, Oregon, Idaho, Colorado, Georgia, Utah, Japan, Korea and West Germany. While Billy was in Japan and Korea he enjoyed playing baseball with the Air Force. While in Utah and West Germany Billy enjoyed coaching Little League football, basketball and baseball to Charles and his teammates on the military teams.

Throughout Billy’s life he enjoyed fishing, traveling, hunting, and his trips to Yuma in the winter. He especially enjoyed the Arizona Room where good times were had by all. Billy was a kind and generous man, but those who knew him, knew he could be a crabby cake at times as well.

Billy is survived by his son, Charles (Jessica) Smith of Springfield, Virginia; his granddaughters, Natalie and Corinne Smith; his partner, LaRay Correll, of Rockland, Idaho; his sister-in-law, Bonnie Smith, Idaho Falls, Idaho; the Correll children, Becky, Jack, and Chris; and other grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. Billy is preceded in death by his wife, Nancy; his parents, Charles and Audrey Smith; and his four brothers, Todd, Paul, Bob and Ted.

Services are planned for Sunday, August 4, 2024, at Sutton Cemetery, Rexburg, Idaho.

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