William "Bill" Lafayette Smith Jr.

William “Bill” Lafayette Smith, Jr. 66, Passed away peacefully on Monday, October 1, 2012 at home surrounded by family after a courageous battle with cancer.

Born and raised in Donelson, TN, he was a proud graduate of Castle Heights Military Academy, Ohio University, Florida State University, and North Florida School of Massage Therapy. Bill met his wife Donna, in high school in Donelson, TN, and they were married for 46 years. He was a library administrator for 20 years, having worked at Ohio University Library, State Library of Florida, Jacksonville (AL) State University Library, State Library of Florida, and Leon County Public Library. He also taught graduate classes as an adjunct at FSU. He was a Licensed Massage Therapist, a career he loved because he was able to help people by relieving their pain. He taught classes at the massage school after obtaining his license, resulting in him opening his own office.

While in Jacksonville, Alabama, he was a Charter member and first Vice President of the Jacksonville Jaycees. In Tallahassee, he was an adult leader and Scout Master for Troop 27, at Grey Memorial United Methodist Church. He and his family attended Co-Cathedral of St. Thomas Moore and St. Louis churches.

As a licensed massage therapist, he was an expert witness for Florida Business & Professional Services, and was selected as one of the massage therapists from across the United States to write the first battery of tests questions for the National Massage Therapy licensure exam at PsyCorp in San Antonio, Texas.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, William L. Smith and Madgelene Light Smith.

He is survived by his loving wife, Donna C Liddington Smith; his son, Sean (Eileen) Smith of Miami, son Mark Smith of Tallahassee; grandson, Ivan; and granddaughters, Paige and Isa.

The family will receive family and friends for a visitation on Thursday, October 4, 2012, from 6:00-8:00pm at Culley’s MeadowWood Riggins Road Chapel. A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Friday, October 5, 2012, at 11:00am at Culley’s Meadowwood Riggins Road Chapel.