SMSgt.(USAF Ret.) Billy Joe Smith, 76, of Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida (formerly of south Kansas City), passed away peacefully on September 21, 2008, with his daughter Nancy at his side.  Visitation will be held from 6-8 pm with Masonic Services at 7:00 pm Friday, September 26th, at the Park Lawn Chapel, Hillcrest Road at 83rd Street, Kansas City, MO.  Funeral Services will be held at 3:00 pm Saturday, September 27th, at the chapel.  Burial with full military honors will be in Memorial Park Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, you may honor B.J. with a memorial contribution to the Ararat Shrine Hospital Transportation Fund, 5100 Ararat Drive, Kansas City, MO 64129.

B. J. was born February 15, 1932 in Thayer, MO, the son of Roy D. and Elizabeth (Pitchford) Smith.  He graduated from the Kansas City Business College.  His military career in the U. S. Air Force spanned more than 20 years, with retirement in 1973 as a Senior Master Sergeant. While stationed at Albrook AFB in Panama, and finally at Richards-Gebaur AFB in Belton, MO, he won countless awards for his innovation and cost-saving measures.  He spent many years in the electronics field, specializing in sound and alarm systems. Among his accomplishments, B.J. was responsible for engineering the sound system for the original Royals Stadium and Peters Theater at William Jewell College, and the alarm systems for the original Crown Center Complex and the Hyatt Regency Hotel. He was a member of Grandview Masonic Lodge, was a 33rd degree Scottish Rite Mason, and was a very active member of Ararat Shrine Temple.  At Ararat, B.J. was a member of Grandview Shrine Club, the Order of Quetzalcoatl, the Scooter Corps, and the Gold Wings.  He was also responsible for the Shrine’s sound system and audio-visual needs. Along with his late wife, B.J. was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star.  In all he did, B.J. was a true gentleman. 

B.J. was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 48 years, Marjorie Foxcroft Smith; four brothers, Roy, Harvey, Lewis and Uel Smith, and a sister, Mary McLain.  He leaves his daughters, Nancy Smith of Ponte Vedre Beach, FL, and Katherine Montguire and her husband Robert of Vernon, British Columbia; a sister, Louise Emerson of Kansas City; three grandchildren, Blair, Madeliene and Alex; two great grandsons, Jordan and Connor.  B.J. will be greatly missed by all his family and many friends.

Online condolences may be sent via www.parklawnfunerals.com. 
Arrangements: Park Lawn Funeral Home (816) 523-1234.