William C. Smith, Jr., 85, of Derby, IN, passed away on Saturday, October 18, 2025 at Brickyard Healthcare in Tell City, IN.  He was born in Stephensport, KY on July 20, 1940 to the late William and Maddie Smith, Sr.  He worked as a Chief Engineer on Towboats and spent most of his career on the Mississippi River.  Junior was preceded in death by his wife, Nellie Smith, who passed in 2019. 

After spending most of his life in McQuady, KY, he and his wife, Nellie, moved to Derby, IN in 2010.  Pops enjoyed attending local dances at the Counsil of Aging in Tell City and dances held in Derby.  Junior also enjoyed walking daily with his buddies along the river trail in Cannelton.  He loved going to Goodwill, Agape and yard sales with his daughter.  Junior spent a lot of his time with his son-in-law, Paul, working on equipment, driving country roads to visit friends and whatever else they could find to get in to. He was always in his bib overalls and ready to go.   We will miss our sidekick.

Survivors include his daughter, Norma (Paul) Spencer; sons, Kenny (Mitzy) Smith, Scott (Trish) Smith and Eric Smith; step son, Wayne (Tammy) McManaway; 14 grandchildren, including his granddaughter Rayleigh Spencer, whom he adored and she loved her papaw very much; several great grandchildren.

Services will be held at 1 pm on Friday, October 24, 2025 at Gibson & Son Funeral Home, Hawesville Chapel with burial following in St. Rose Cemetery in Cloverport, KY.  Visitation will be held on Friday, October 24, 2025 from 10 am until service time at the funeral home.  Share your memories and condolences with his family at www.gibsonandsonfh.com.