Billie Gene Smith

Billie "Gene" Smith, 75, of Grants Pass died Friday, July 4, 2008, in Grants Pass. A celebration of life will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at Merlin Community Church, with Everett Denniston, pastor, officiating. Private inurnment will be at Eagle Point National Cemetery. Stephens Family Chapel is in charge of arrangements. Contributions may be made to Asante Hospice, 2825 E. Barnett Road, Medford, OR 97504. He was born Dec. 18, 1932, in Portland to William and Lura Smith. He attended grade school in Coos Bay and high school in Newberg. During the Korean War, he served in the Navy from March 23, 1950, until his honorable discharge on Nov. 16, 1953. On Nov. 21, 1953, in Newberg, he married Arlie Ann Eide, who survives. They moved to Grants Pass in 1976. For 33 years, he was an ironworker in heavy construction before retiring in 1990. He enjoyed woodworking, hunting, fishing and spectator sports. In addition to his wife, survivors include a daughter, Deanne Snyder of Grants Pass; a son, Stuart Smith of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho; two sisters, Marcheta Taylor of Hayden, Idaho, and Lucille Maher of Sherwood; two grandchildren and a great-grandchild.