Grocer, workforce development advocate Bill Smillie dies

SBJ file

Bill Smillie died Feb. 13, according to his obituary.

Bill Smillie, who was involved with local workforce development efforts and had a career in the grocery business, has died.

Smillie died Feb. 13 at age 79, according to his obituary posted to GormanScharpf.com. His cause of death was not disclosed in the obituary.

Smillie operated Smillie’s Market for two decades before retiring from the grocery business in 2012, according to Springfield Business Journal archives. He previously worked at Consumers Markets for around 20 years, and he was involved with the Ozark Empire Grocers Association.

He most recently served in workforce development through the city of Springfield and the Missouri Job Center.

"Whether it is at the Missouri [Job] Center or in private business as a grocer, it is all about serving customers," Smillie said in a 2012 SBJ article.

Smillie's obituary points to a planned visitation on Feb. 21 at Schweitzer Church, with a service to follow and private family burial to be held at Hazelwood Cemetery.