ADVANCE, Mo. -- Billy Jean Smith, 78, of Advance died Friday, June 1, 2007, a Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau.

He was born Aug. 14, 1928, at Delta, Mo., son of Levi and Ora Hartsell Smith. He and Virginia Cox were married in September 1948 at Piggott, Ark., and she survives.

Smith was a farmer who also worked for 30 years with Morgan Funeral Home in Advance as the caretaker of Morgan Memorial Park, where he also opened and closed graves. He was also an elder at the Jehovah's Witnesses hall in Advance.

Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Debby Smith of Advance; and a sister, Lucille Musgraves of Atlanta.

He was preceded in death by two brothers and two sisters.

Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday at Morgan Funeral Home in Advance. Funeral will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Earl Norman and Dick Thiessen will officiate, with burial at Morgan Memorial Park.