James B Smith

At an Early age Jim enjoyed driving tractors and helping on the family dairy farm. He moved with his family to East St. Louis at the age of 14 and went on to excel in basketball and baseball at ESL Senior High. Jim’s leadership abilities developed early when he was elected class President his senior year. After graduating he went to work for New York Central Railroad as a carman apprentice and attended college at night at SIU. He married Jan in 1961, He obtained his teaching degree and soon after they moved to Wasco, CA., to explore the west. After Allison was born, they moved back to Illinois where he began teaching and coaching at Belle Valley School. IN 1969 at the age of 28, Jim was hired as the principal of Wolf Branch School in Swansea, and in 1971 he became Superintendent . Jim continued his education while working and was awarded his PhD at St. Louis University on his 40th birthday. During his 32 year tenure at WBS. He helped nurture, countless children and with teamwork from parents, teachers and staff, watched the school grow from an enrollment of 100 students per year to over 1000. he lived out the motto he established for the district: “We work hard and we play hard. But if we don’t work, we don’t play”.

Jim had a passion for golf. He and Jan loved to travel. He enjoyed playing bridge, reading the latest thrillers, boating and spending time with his family, including attending his grandchildren’s events. He enjoyed teaching bible classes, he was a member of the Elks Board of Trustees, Rotary Club and the Toastmasters. He was also a Trustee with the Belleville Volunteer Firefights Organization and a recipient of the Outstanding Illinois Superintendent Award.

Jim was humbled and grateful to have the Wolf Branch Elementary School named in his honor at his retirement in 2001.

Jim is preceded in death by his daughter, Wendy Lynette Smith Hansen and his parents Bernis Cleo and Vivian Louise, nee Wells, Smith.

Surviving are his loving and devoted wife Janet S. nee Carr, Smith; a daughter, Allison Noreen, nee Smith (Mark)Bartle; grandchildren, Austin M. Bartle, Braeden A. Bartle, Alyssa S. Bartle, Jackson S. Hansen, James Conner Hansen and Brock Parker Hansen; son- in law, Craig Hansen; brothers, Charles W. (Pat) Smith and J. Don (Kathy)Smith; and his sister, Debra A. nee Smith (Emmitt) Rodriquez, also survived by other relatives family and friends.

Memorials in Jim’s memory may be made to the American Heart Association. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.valhallagardensandfunerlhome.com

Visitation: Friends may call from 10am to 2 pm on Monday, July 10, 2017 at Valhalla Gaerdner Holten Funeral Home, Belleville, Illinois

Service: Funeral Services will be held at 2 pm on Monday, July 10, 2017 at Valhalla Gaerdner Holten Funeral Home, Belleville, Illinois.

Interment in Valhalla Gardens of Memory will be held privately.

Valhalla Gaerdner Holten Funeral Home, Belleville,Illinois.