William J. Smolka, Sr.

Born: 7/24/1926
Died: 8/17/2012

Mr. William Joseph Smolka, Sr., known fondly as “Bill” and “Smokey,” age 86, of New Castle, DE, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loved ones at Christiana Hospital on Friday, August 17, 2012.
Born in Wilmington on July 24, 1926, Bill was a 25-year veteran of the US Navy, where he served proudly. He retired from the Chrysler Corporation after 20 years and then took up the hobby of buying and selling at the New Castle Farmers Market for many years after.
Bill was a huge family man who enjoyed parties and BBQs with family and friends and always came prepared with beads for everyone and was quite the ladies man. He was truly a one-of-a-kind, outspoken man and will be truly missed by many.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 58 years, Evelyn Claire Belcher Smolka; children, William Smolka, Jr., Joe Smolka (Robin), Annette Stevenson, Brenda Miller (Dean), Jeanne Garneski (James Price), and Suzanne Smolka (Joseph Olewnik); brothers, Joseph Smolka and Stanley Smolka; sisters, Mary Begley and Jeanne Smolka; 26 grandchildren; and 33 great grandchildren.
Visitation will be held from 5 pm to 7 pm on Wednesday, August 22, 2012, at the Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Home, 1000 N. DuPont Parkway, New Castle. A funeral service will be held at 12 noon on Thursday, August 23, 2012, at the funeral home. Interment will follow in Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 2465 Chesapeake City Road, Bear.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the American Lung Association, 630 Churchmans Road, Ste. 202, Newark, DE 19702.