William E. Smolnik, 82, of 815 W. Pearl Street, New Castle, passed away the morning of September 27, 2011 at Jameson Hospital.Born October 14, 1928 in New Castle, he was a son of John and Zella Boak Smolnik.Bill married Carol Kemp on September 1, 1951. She survives.He was a 1947 graduate of New Castle High School and went on to serve his country in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War as an aviation mechanist mate.Bill retired from Bell Telephone Company as a lineman.He was a member of the K.P. Club and had many interests, including woodcarving, traveling, and gardening. He most enjoyed spending time with his family and grandchildren.Bill was a member of Wesley Methodist Church.In addition to his wife, he is survived by three daughters, Holly (Lloyd) Rodgers of Franklin, PA, Sherida (Glen) Gray of Wilmington, NC, and Marsha (Tom) Penwell of New Castle; two brothers, Jack Smolnik and Ed Smolnik, both of New Castle; one sister, Jean Simpson of Florida; six grandchildren, Kevin Sari, Darrell Gray, Austin Gray, Cory Gray, Thomas Penwell and Emily Penwell; and four great-grandchildren, Reece and Kelan Sari, and Haley and Avery Gray.He was preceded in death by his parents.Visitation will be held on Friday, Sept. 30, 2011, from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at the R. Cunningham Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 2429 Wilmington Road, New Castle.A funeral service will be take place on Saturday, Oct. 1,2011, at 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home. The Rev. Rex Wasser will officiate. Military Rites will be performed by the New Castle Area Honor Guard.Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.