William J. Smith, a grocer in the Fifth Ward for nearly a quarter century, and a director and general manager of the Sterling Wholesale Corporation for six years, died suddenly at his post of duty at the corporation warehouse, Twelfth and Cumberland Streets, just before 11 o'clock this morning. The news of his passing was telephoned from one to another of the city and county grocers who make up the corporation and the sad tidings thus were flashed rapidly to all parts of the region. Mr. Smith went to his offices about 8 o'clock this morning, his regular time and was at his regular duties, when he suddenly collapsed. His plight was discovered by member of the office force who were at their desks as usual. It appears that the fatal attack was super induced by a sudden sneezing and coughing spell, as he sat at his desk. Chief bookkeeper O.B. Kreider sensed that something unusual was wrong and he went to the assistance of his stricken superior who suddenly collapsed and died within a few minutes. The Good Samaritan Hospital ambulance was summoned at 10:45 o'clock but upon arrival at the office, the interne found that death had occurred. Coroner W.H. Brubaker ascribed death due to a heart attack. Mr. Smith had been in failing health for a long time, but it was known only to members of his family, and a few intimate friends. He asked his associates a year or more ago to release him from the arduous task of managing the big concern without avail. Last June he resigned but was induced to reconsider the action when members of the board of directors suggested ways and means of relieving him of some of his burdens. His sudden death this morning was an overwhelming shock to his wife—it being the third of this kind she received in the past few years, her mother and a brother-in-law also being called suddenly. She was informed of this new bereavement by a ministerial friend of the family who was asked to undertake the distressing task. Manager Smith who was born at Rexmont in August 1887, spent practically his whole business career in the grocery business, a matter of nearly forty years. Upon leaving school at an early age he entered the employ of H.J. Zweler, and later was employed as salesman by Robert Eby, local wholesale grocer. Around 1914 he went into business for himself at First and Lehman Streets, and established a branch store at Fifth and Locust Streets. He was in business for about twenty-two years and then went tot the Sterling Corporation as general manager about 1936, disposing of his own business to his employees. He took a deep interest in the Sterling enterprise, and instilled new life into that association of Lebanon county businessmen—consisting of about a hundred and fifty stores established on a cooperative buying proposition. He received the plaudits of the members and was thus inspired to new endeavors. The celebration of the twentieth anniversary of the Sterling Corporation in the fall of 1939, with a week's demonstration of food stuffs, a cooking school, and display by national food manufacturers was an epoch-making event for this community, and bought added praise to the successful manager. Compliments came from many cities in other states. The program was copied and Smith was credited with having originated the idea. During the past year and a half he had been complaining to Mrs. Smith and other relatives that the Sterling position had grown too big, and its management became a heavy burden. This condition was emphasized since the war brought manufacturing and selling restrictions, and a mass of other worries. His death creates a vacancy that will be hard to fill, as he was a hard worker and an efficient executive. He had many admirers in the trade, and also a host of personal friends in his social life. He was held in high esteem as a member of Salem Lutheran Church. He was a popular member of the Masonic fraternity, Knights Templar, the Shrine, Tall Cedars and other subordinate and associate groups of that order, and was also identified with the Lebanon Lodge of Moose, Lebanon Aerle of Eagles, Rescue Hose Company; the National Grocer's Association and several other trade organizations. He was an ardent Republican and for some years was active in party affairs in the Fifth Ward where he spent most of his adult career. In 1935 he unsuccessfully opposed William E. Meiser for the Republican nomination for mayor. Mr. Smith was a son of the late Hugh Smith, whose wife, Harriet Smith, mother of the subject of this sketch, resides at 356 North Fifth Street. The only child of the decedent died some years ago, and he leaves his wife, Minnie (Peiffer) Smith, at the family home at 115 Lehman Street; a brother, Howard, also of Lebanon, and five sisters, Miss Letitia, and Ethel, wife of Harvey Peiffer, at home; Catherine, wife of John Wood; Gertrude, wife of Thomas Hassett, and Mrs. Harry Livingood, all of Philadelphia. [Lebanon Daily News, Friday September 11, 1942]

Many friends, business associates and neighbors paid their last tributes to the late William J. Smith, prominent local grocer and business man, at two o'clock this afternoon at the Arnold Funeral Home on Chestnut Street. Funeral services were conducted by the Rev. A. C. R. Keiter, pastor of Salem Lutheran Church, of which the deceased was a member, and numerous handsome floral tokens attested to the high esteem in which the deceased was held. Many of the floral tributes came from former business associates and firms from out of town to whom the local business man was well known for years. Bearers were Curtis Zweler, Russell White, Emory Hassler and Fred Gingrich, representing the Sterling Wholesale Corporation which the deceased served a manager for a number of years, and Raymond Gassert and Ralph Manbeck, neighbors and close friends. Members of the board of directors of the Sterling Wholesale Corporation attended the services in a body. Burial was made in the Mt. Lebanon cemetery with C. Leroy Arnold in charge of arrangements. [Lebanon Daily News, Tuesday September 15, 1942]