James Smith, Jr., 90, of Williston, ND passed away on Tuesday, October 1, 2024 at the Bethel Lutheran Nursing and Rehabilitation Home in Williston, ND.

Jim was born on March 25, 1934, on the family farm north of Williston to Jimmie and (Pearl) Ione Smith. They resided there for six years before moving into town. He attended rural school in Williams County. As a boy, he enjoyed hunting for muskrats at a nearby creek.

Jim graduated from Williston High School in 1952. He enlisted in the U.S. Airforce in 1953 completing basic training at Lackland Airforce Base in Amarillo, Texas as an aircraft mechanic. He was then stationed at Davis-Monthan Airforce Base in Tucson, for three and a half years. Following one particular leave, he was riding the train back when he met Carolyn Koeser. They married June 1, 1955, in Watford City. He was honorably discharged February 17, 1957.

They then moved to Watford City where he was employed as a mechanic at OK Implement until 1959. Following which they moved to Fargo, ND where Jim enrolled at the Molar Barber School. After completing his courses there, the family relocated to Williston. He found work at the Modern Barber shop on Main Street. In 1964, Jim opened Parkway Barber Shop that was in front of The Black Gold Motel on Second Ave. West. During one of Williston’s oil booms, he moved his shop inside the Kotana Building. After 48 years of cutting hair, he retired in March of 2008.

During this span of years, Jim did several evening and weekend (excluding Sundays of course) jobs. These included traveling to Crosby, Grenora and the Air Force Base in Fortuna to cut more hair. At one point, he even did dog grooming. He went door to door selling World Book Encyclopedias, encouraged to do so by his supervisor and aunt, Effie Watts. He was one of the very few people who truly loved his work.

In the rest of his spare time, Jim was an avid supporter of the Williston Keybirds and enjoyed hunting and fishing.

He was a charter member of the Wesleyan Church here in Williston. Every Sunday, he would pick up and then return children from Sunday School. Christmas time found him with others to put together the treat bags that were handed out to children following the Christmas program.

If you knew Jim at all, you know he had a large, sweet tooth, maybe better yet, teeth. He could always be found with treats close at hand, if you didn’t notice any treats around, it was because he often hid them. His children had an unsuccessful job of keeping their Halloween candy from him every year. Some of his favorite sweets were tootsie pop suckers, hershey candy bars, juneberry and banana cream pies, and of course caramel rolls.

He is survived by his wife, Carolyn; daughters, Candyce (L. Blaine) Miller of Crosby, ND, Chari (Jon) Schnaidt of Colorado Springs, CO, son, James Smith III of Williston, ND; grandchildren, Tara Miller (Kurt Wharton) of Scottsdale, AZ, Jarret Miller (Kelly Sheaffer) of Conshohocken, PA, Christopher (Ceci) Schnaidt of Minot, ND; great-grandchildren, Lennan and Ellion Wharton.

Jim is preceded in death by his parents, Jimmie and Ione Smith; brothers, Larrie (Karen) Smith, Ron Smith; sister, Patsy (Ordean) Opsal.

Funeral Services for James will be held Wednesday, October 9, 2024 at 11:00 am at the New Hope Church in Williston, ND. Pastor Aaron Hughes will officiate. Burial will be in the Riverview Cemetery in Williston, ND. Visitation will be held Tuesday, October 8, 2024 at Fulkerson Stevenson Funeral Home Chapel in Williston, ND beginning at 3:00 pm until 5:00 pm and an hour prior to the service time at the church.

The Funeral Service will be broadcast, you can view James service directly on his obituary page on our website www.fulkersons.com.

Fulkerson Stevenson Funeral Home of Williston, ND is assisting the family. Condolences may be left on our funeral home website at www.fulkersons.com