James W. "Jim" Smith

James W. Smith, 88, of Grand Island went to his heavenly promise Tuesday, February 16th after a brief illness at the Good Samaritan Village in Grand Island. A Celebration of Life Service will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, February 20th at the Evangelical Free Church in Grand Island. Reverend Dan Brenton will officiate. Burial will be in Grand Island City Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6-7:30 p.m. Friday at All Faiths Funeral Home. James Wilber Smith was born November 20, 1927, on a Clay county farm south of Harvard, Nebraska as the second of five children to John and Mildred (Hill) Smith. Jim attended rural school until the family moved to a farm near El Dorado. Jim continued school in El Dorado and Aurora and worked on the family farm until 1947. On December 3, 1947, Jim married Lilah Hahle of Hampton. The couple lived on farms in both Hamilton and York counties. In 1951, son Stephen was born and shortly after, the couple moved to a farm in Hall County. A second son Douglas was born in 1955. Jim spent the majority of his working career with Rainbow Bread Co. and United Parcel Service as a transport driver. He retired from UPS in 1987. Jim enjoyed hunting, fishing, boating and camping with friends and family for many years. The primary passion in Jim’s life was his love for the Lord Jesus Christ. In 1953, both Jim and Lilah accepted Christ as their Savior. In 1954, Jim became a member of the Evangelical Free Church where he remained an active member for over 60 years. He also joined Gideons International in 1955 and was active in Bible distribution for 60 years. Upon retirement in 1987, Jim and Lilah became involved in RVICS (Roving Volunteers In Christ’s Service) from 1989 until 2001. They worked on projects in California, Texas, Arizona, Florida, Arkansas and Nebraska. In 2010, the couple moved to Good Samaritan Village where Lilah passed in 2011 after 64 years of marriage. Jim continued living at Good Samaritan and he enjoyed numerous friends until his death. Jim is survived by his two sons and daughters-in-law, Steve and Karla Smith of Grand Island and Doug and Diane Smith of Stillwater, Oklahoma; two sisters, Lois Martin of Garden Grove, CA and Luetta Tucker of Duluth, GA; five grandchildren, Kathleen, Jenny, Andrew, Bethany and Kassandra; seven very special great-grandchildren and many friends. Jim was preceded in death by his wife; parents; brother, Leonard and sister, Kathleen. Memorials are suggested to The Gideons International.

James W. "Jim" Smith

November 20, 1927 - February 16, 2016

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James W. "Jim" Smith

November 20, 1927 - February 16, 2016

What We Do

Flowers & Gifts

Plan Ahead

About Us

Resources

Obituaries

Grief & Healing

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