Willa-Janet Smith

Billie Smith was born in Los Angeles as Willa-Janet McCulloch to Minnie Evelyn McCulloch and Stewart Byron McCulloch. Her father owned the Stewart B. McCulloch Co. pottery plant in Pasadena, CA. Billie graduated from Los Angeles High in 1942 and went on to attend USC and UCLA. She married LCDR USN Mahlon D. Smith in 1946. She lived all over the United States, Guam, and Japan as a US Navy wife. Finally, they settled and raised their three children in Phoenix, Arizona. Later in life, Billie and her husband moved to West Linn, Oregon in 1979 where they enjoyed 27 years. She retired to Lakewood, CO in 2006 to be near family.

Billie was a refined, gentle lady that was considerate to all. She experienced poverty during the depression and society in good times. Her variety of experiences rounded out her character as a compassionate and considerate human being. Billie's petite stature and ladylike demeanor concealed surprising determination and intellect. Volunteering was not her passion, but a way of life.

Billy will be dearly missed by her three children: Stewart H. Smith of Oro Valley, AZ; Saundra L. Spaeh of Vail, CO; and Scott B. Smith of San Anselmo, CA and her grandchildren Axel Peter Spaeh, Eva Olivia Spaeh, Mary Wilkin Smith, and Evelyn McCulloch Smith.