James "Jim" W. Hurley Smith III

James “Jim” W. Hurley Smith III 1/1/1939 - 11/18/24 James W. Hurley Smith III, 85, of Peoria, passed away on November 18th of 2024 in the comfort of his own home surrounded by family and listening to his favorite music Billy Joel, Motown, and The Bee Gees. If you were lucky enough to call Jim your family or friend, you know that he is the embodiment of resilience. After a cancer diagnosis in 2021, Jim found himself fighting a battle that is faced by many, but is nevertheless heartbreaking and distressing. At 82, he took this diagnosis and showed everyone in his life just how resilient he was. Jim held his head high during all his treatments and procedures regardless of the outcomes. His fight may have come to an end three years later, but his memory will live on in those of everyone whose lives he graced with his presence. One of the most essential things in Jim’s life was his family. Whether by blood or by choice, once you became a part of his life he held you close to his heart and showed you the true meaning and feeling of being loved. Even in his final days, his family was what he cherished more than anything. Reminiscing with his wife, listening to music with his grandchildren, watching The Voice with his daughter, enjoying feasts with his son in law or simply sharing a space with his family. These seemingly simple moments were what he craved. His family made him who he was and he made his family what we are today. Jim was born in Long Branch, New Jersey to Marjorie and James Hurley Jr on January 1st of 1939. He married the love of his life, Marguerite C. Stewart, on September 12th of 1959 in Peoria, Illinois. Jim is preceded in death by Marjorie and James Hurley (parents), Roger Smith (brother), and Gladys Hurley (bonus mother). Jim is survived by his wife, Marguerite “Marty” (Stewart) Smith, children David (Constance) Smith, Douglas Smith, Donald Smith, and Debra (Eric) Proctor, brother Pat Hurley, grandchildren Sarah (James) French, Erin Smith, Sam Smith, Ciara Smith, Aiden Smith, Candric Smith, Demetri Smith, Taiyah (Jordan) Payne, Kaiden Proctor, Danielle Proctor, and Eric Proctor Jr, and great grandchildren Caleb James Smith, Cairi Smith, and Mila Proctor. Extra special thank yous to be extended to Jim’s son in law Eric Proctor for caring for him through the entirety of his cancer journey from diagnosis to his final breath, Candric Smith, Jim’s grandson for stepping up and providing personal care in his final days, Taiyah Payne, Jim’s granddaughter for helping with her grandmother, Shirley Johnson for all of her help so we could get Jim to chemo we love you, Erin Powell for making it possible for Jim’s daughter to keep him home and leave this world with dignity and being a true best friend, Emily Ortega for taking care of Jim and his family and being a bonus granddaughter. Memorials may be given to St. Jude’s Children Research Hospital. The family of Jim wishes to extend our sincere thanks to Dr. John Shallat who provided the most amazing care for the last 15 years all the way to his last breath we will forever be grateful you were there, his hospice nurses Stephanie (for whom he had a special fondness) and Darren, the staff of the OSF Hospice team, the staff of Illinois Cancer Care, as well as Dr. Giovanni Colombo and Lisa Nielsen PA-C from diagnosis through his journey’s end and the many others who extended their compassion to one of the most wonderful men to have ever drawn a breath in this world.

James "Jim" W. Hurley Smith III

January 1, 1939 - November 18, 2024