Louis B. Smoots, 90, was born on November 3, 1925 in Springfield, MO to Nettie and Ray Smoots. He passed away on December 25, 2015 in Nixa, MO.

He married Mildred "Pink" Hall on May 13, 1950. He graduated from Bois D''Arc High School at the age of 17 and attended Drury College. He worked in the Treasury Department in Washington D.C., the Frisco R.R. and retired from the BNSF R.R. He was a WWII Veteran, Master Mason for 50 years and a member of the Lions Club. His hobbies were to remodel and build houses. He was a member of Elwood Methodist Church as a young boy and eventually a member of King''s Way Methodist Church.

Louis was preceded in death by his parents; step-father, J.A. Robinson; sister, Mary and son-in-law, Larry Rice.

He is survived by his wife: Mildred; children: Debbie Rice and Karen James and husband Morris; grandchildren: Jeremy and Justin Rice, Derek and Alicia James; great-grandchildren: Connor and Isabelle Rice, Clara Joe Leahy-Rice and Dalton James; niece: Martha Ann Ruark; numerous nieces, nephews and a host of family and friends.

A visitation will be held on Saturday, January 2, 2016 from 1 till 2 p.m. at King''s Way Methodist Church, 2401 S Lone Pine Ave, Springfield, MO. Service will follow at 2:00 p.m. in the King''s Way Chapel. Interment will be in White Chapel Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Wounded Warriors, 7400 College Boulevard, Suite 350, Overland Park, KS 66210.

Online condolences may be made to www.klingnerfuneralhome.com