William J. Smith

William J. Smith, 85, of Sellersville, formerly of Cape May Court House, New Jersey, and Philadelphia, passed away Thursday, August 11, 2011, in the Rockhill Mennonite Community, West Rockhill Township. He was the beloved husband of Jane (Snyder) Smith for 26 years and also the late Catherine (Boisseau) Smith.

Born in Philadelphia, he was the son of the late William and Mary (McCain) Smith.

Mr. Smith was a U.S. Navy veteran, having served during World War II.

A dedicated firefighter with the Philadelphia Fire Department for 30 years, William retired in 1981. He was a member of Engine Companies 65, 76, and 44; and Ladders 9 and 16.

He had been a member of Our Lady of Angels Church, Cape May Court House.

William was a member of the American Legion William D. Oxley Post 133, Mayfair, Philadelphia.

Along with his wife, Mr. Smith is survived by his four children: William Smith, and his wife, Olga; Deborah Wertan, and her husband, Denny; Robert Smith, and his wife, Kathy; and Cass Bleiler, and her husband, Bob; a step-son, Chris Johnson, and his wife, Karen; 11 grandchildren; a brother, Robert Smith, and his wife, Peggy; a sister, Eleanor McBeth; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his first wife, Catherine, he was preceded in death by a step-daughter, Susan Johnson; a sister and a brother-in-law: Marie and Jim Donnelly; another sister and a brother-in-law: Betty and Michael Hegerty; and a brother-in-law, Harry McBeth.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, August 16, 2011, at 10:00 AM in St. Agnes Catholic Church, 445 North Main Street, Sellersville, PA 18960, where family and friends may call from 9:00 AM until time of Mass.

Interment with military honors will follow in Calvary Cemetery, West Conshohocken.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to a charity of one’s choice.