William D. Smith

He was lovingly referred to as "Peepaw" to his grandkids, "Dad" to his daughters, and "Smitty" or "Yankee Bill" to his friends and colleagues.  He was a man of many layers.

On January 3, 2026, we said goodbye to Dad, a date that also marked his 50th wedding anniversary with his loving wife, Paula.

He lived his life his own way, following his own path from beginning to end.

Throughout his life, he wore many hats: a commercial oilfield diver, an airplane technician in the U.S. Navy, a motorcycle enthusiast, an industrial electrician and archival electrical draftsman by trade.  He believed strongly in hard work and took pride in providing for his family.

He could fix just about anything and tell a story like no one else.  His storytelling often came with a quirky sense of humor and a perspective that was uniquely his own.

He found peace in our natural world and felt most at home surrounded by open space, fresh air, the outdoors and especially the ocean.

He leaves behind his wife, children and grandchildren, and many other extended family members, along with a lifetime of stories, laughter and love given in his own unique way.  We will forever cherish them.

Our family is deeply grateful for the compassionate end-of-life care provided by Ms. Maxine and the Heart to Heart Hospice Care team.

In accordance with his wishes, he will be released back to mother nature at an undetermined time.

He requests that you honor his memory by enjoying the outdoors or in a way that is meaningful to you.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in his name to the Lewy Body Dementia Association, the Dementia Society of America, or a charity of your choice.