William Keith Smith

William Keith Smith, 81, of Baxter died on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, at his home.  A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, June 18, at the First Christian Church in Newton. The family will greet friends from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service and again after the service with a lunch, all at the church. Memorials in Keith's name (checks to Randy Smith) may be left at the church the morning of the service or at the Wallace Family Funeral Home and Crematory. 

Keith, the son of Omer and Arlene (VanHouten) Smith, was born on August 14, 1943, in Denver, Missouri.  He grew up in Missouri before moving to Baxter, Iowa, at the age of 18. He graduated from Baxter High School in 1963.  On March 20, 1965, Keith was united in marriage with Beverly Birkenholtz at the First United Methodist Church in Newton.  They made their home in Newton for many years prior to moving to Baxter in 2011.  Keith worked at Hy-Vee, Carl O’Roake Plumbing, and a gas station before beginning a 40-year career with Mid-Continent Bottlers. During his time there he worked as a 7-Up Pop Jockey, delivering pop to locations all around Jasper County and in the factory and the warehouse; before retiring in October of 2006. Keith and Beverly enjoyed square dancing and clogging together.  He also loved gardening, fishing, and woodworking. Keith was a member of the First Christian Church in Newton where he helped serve meals to the kids during Wednesday night Awanas and during Vacation Bible School.  Cheering on “his” Chicago Bears and “his” favorite driver, Izak Malicoat, at the Boone Speedway were a couple of Keith’s favorite pastimes.  Most of all, his family was his pride and joy and he loved taking annual trips up to Leech Lake to spend time together.

Keith is survived by his sons, Scott (Barb) Smith of Baxter and Randy (Stacie) Smith of Newton; grandchildren, Cameron Smith, Brandon Smith, Amber (Ryan) Davis, and Alexis Smith (Michael Gallagher); his great-grandchildren, Adelyn, Rylan, and one more on the way; and his brother, Charles (Barb) Smith of Newton. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Beverly of 52 years; brothers, Leroy (Gloria) Smith and Bob (Ardyce) Smith; and a grandchild, Brenton Smith.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Henry and Suzanne Anderson for their friendship and care of Keith and Bev through the years.

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