William Thomas Small, age 89, of Mount Vernon, passed away on Thursday, October 17, 2024.
He was born on June 21, 1935, in Mount Vernon and was the son to the late Fredrick Arvil and Mary Myrtle Mae (Smith) Small.
Bill started early in life running construction equipment in high school which led to creating his own excavating business. He went on to build Small’s Sand & Gravel and accompanying businesses leaving behind a legacy for his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He grew up with farming in his blood. Bill’s farming path led him from plowing with mules at nine years old to operating a 400 horsepower self-driving tractor at eighty-nine. Bill enjoyed winter seasons in the Florida Keys spending his days in the sunshine deep sea fishing with his family and friends. It was a lifelong passion to teach his family members how to fish with ‘new lessons’ every year and a competition for biggest yellowtail in the icebox. Bill had a diverse knowledge base from moving dirt and paving roads to understanding the value of real estate and finance. His innate problem solving skills and ability to master anything he attempted amazed all that knew him. Bill’s charm, warm smile, calm demeanor, and ‘tell it like it is’ personality will be greatly missed by his family and friends. He married his high school sweetheart, Carole, and she was by his side in all of his endeavors, building businesses and raising a beautiful family. Through all the good times and tough ones, together, they always put family first. Of all Bill’s successes, his final concern and wish before he passed was that Carole was taken care of as she dedicated her life to taking care of him and their family.
William is survived by his loving wife of 68 years, Carole (Cranmer) Small, sons, Robert (Kristi) Small and Jeffrey (Melanie) Small, daughters, Sharon (David) Mills and Mary (Phillip) Gerrard, 13 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his son, Michael Small, daughter-in-law, Cristia J. Small, along with 4 sisters, Maxine, Coreta, Norma Jean, and Dorothy.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, October 22, 2024, from 5:00 – 8:00 pm at Snyder Funeral Home – Lasater Chapel, 11337 Upper Gilchrist Rd. in Mount Vernon where funeral services will be held on Wednesday at 1:00 PM. Burial will be in Mound View Cemetery.
To express a condolence to the Small family, please visit www.snyderfuneralhomes.com