Wasco Memorial Park-364-R

Billy was born in Arkadelphia, Arkansas on April 9, 1929 to Neva and Ralph Smothers. At age 5, he and his family relocated to Wasco where he proceeded to raise cane for the next 87 years.

During World War II, at the age of 17, he thought it would be a good idea to join and serve in the U.S. Navy. Due to his age, the Navy required a signed release (permission) from his mother. Shortly after joining and arriving in Pearl Harbor he asked his mom to again try to sign him out of the Navy. Billy proudly served as a store keeper at the Naval base Pearl Harbor until 1947. After being honorably discharged from the Navy, Billy returned back home to Wasco where he met the love of his life ,Bonnie, and managed to hoodwink her into marrying him . She fell in love with his charming personality and awesome dancing and roller skating skills. Together he and Bonnie had 3 children Terri , Gene and Brad.

On June 3, 1948 - Billy went to work for PG&E. If you were around C street you might have seen him running out to his work truck in his pajamas to protect it from catching fire after the kids in the neighborhood threw fireworks under it. He spent 36 years with the company before he retired in 1984.

Billy enjoyed riding his motorcycle until he hit a cow on a windy road and decided maybe his motorcycle riding days were over, flying his plane, hunting and fishing, helping cook for charities and events, serving as a volunteer firefighter for the Wasco Fire department, and was a semi professional nap taker. His greatest passion in life was attending his great grandchildren’s events and sports games . He loved to coach the games from the stands and made sure to yell loudly to the coaches his opinions on their coaching skills (he especially loved to give the Wedel Boys a hard time)

Billy is survived by his son Brad Smothers, his granddaughter Valerie and husband Brent Paul, his granddaughter Michelle Conley, his granddaughter Sharee and husband Elvis Barber, his great grandchildren Andrew and fiancée Haley, Randy, Marissa and fiancée Cody, Chandler Ray, Gaige, Daniel, Abby, Aiden, and great great grandson Hunter Ray.