Bill was born on April 19, 1935, to Rex and Apolonia (Seefeld) Smelser in Sioux Falls, SD, one of six siblings. His family moved many times before coming to Montana, including living in Bremerton, WA during WWII. Their first home was in Miles City, coming to Sidney in 1949, where they became active members of Trinity Lutheran Church. After coming to Sidney, Bill’s joys included playing football for the Sidney Eagles as a defensive end and captain of the team, as well as being a member of the National Guard.
Bill began his own family in 1957, with his marriage to Sharon Ann Weiser in Hazelton, ND. Their family began with the birth of their son, Todd William, soon followed by Bret Alfred and Cindy Lynnae. Sharon and Bill fostered two other sons, Timothy Wade Mulholland and Joel Metrick. The addition of these two sons completed his family.
Bill had many hobbies which included raising dogs, wood working, fishing, playing cards, traveling, writing poetry, cooking meals, and making old fashioned ice cream with his special recipe for his children and grandchildren. He was an active member of the Sidney community, having served as a city councilman, assisting in the pioneering of the Old Fashioned 4th of July, and a member of the Sportsman’s Club. He assisted in construction of the current Trinity Church building by hauling many loads of brick from Hebron, ND to Sidney.
Bill was a successful entrepreneur in the new steel, hide, fur and recycling business, founding Border Steel and Recycling with his son Bret in 1985. He was very proud of this business and the fact that many family members have joined in the operation of it. Bill was a strong but gentle man known for his sense of humor and his love of family.
Bill died on Friday, February 2, 2018, in Sidney, MT.
Bill is survived by: Sharon, his wife of 61 years, his son Bret (Julie), his daughter, Cindy (Tom), his son Tim (Remona), his daughter-in-law, Sue (Roger); He was grandfather to Alissa (Randy), Jon (Megan), Becca (Jordan), Heather (Scott), Bryon (Tania), Brady (Ryann), Carla (Lee), Tanner, Danielle, Katyana (Jake), Tevis, Chelsie, Zach, and Skyler and great grandfather to 21; three sisters, Beverly Backer, Frankie Morrison, and Anna Mindt.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his son Todd, and his great-grandson Jamie.

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