Winthrop Barnett Smith

Winthrop “Win” Barnett Smith, age 75, retired Drug and Alcohol Addictions Treatment Counselor for over 35 years passed away on Wednesday, April 12, 2023 in Rome, Italy. He was born in Dallas, Texas on September 29, 1947 to John Smith and Katharine Carroll.

Early in his life, Win pursued his love of art, earning a degree in Fine Arts and attending the Kansas City Art Institute. Art would remain an important part of Win’s life. He was known for his unique fish paintings with human faces. At the end of his life, one of his great joys was participating in what he called, “the geezer program” at WSU, which allowed him to take a sculpture class nearly every semester for nine years. During that time, he returned to his passion of stone carving and bronze casting.

Win’s life work was dedicated to supporting people struggling with drug and alcohol addiction. He oversaw the adolescent program at St. Joseph, and later opened and co-owned Positive Adjustments outpatient treatment center. Win also gave presentations for 10 years with the Sedgwick County Sheriff's Office and volunteered with Project Freedom. During this time, Win earned a Master’s of Business Administration from Friends University. One of his proudest moments was helping get the Addiction Counselor licensure law passed in 2010. While Win’s health required him to retire in 2013, he continued to be an active member of the addictions support community. People knew Win for the empathy, honesty and good humor he brought to conversations about addictions. Whether you met Win in his office, at the jail, or while chatting at the hardware store, he could be counted on to listen and offer support to those trying to overcome addiction, sometimes with a few swear words peppered in for good measure.

Win’s life included many joys. He often talked about having a second life after his recovery from his own drug and alcohol addiction. He died with 44 years of sobriety. During that time he was a dedicated husband, father and later grandfather. He attended every swim meet or basketball game for his two daughters, often taking off work early and always cheering on not only his daughters, but their friends as well. He loved making art for his family, including a tradition of making his wife and older daughter a Christmas decoration each year to commemorate the holiday. His family liked to joke that he could carry on a conversation with a wall, countless people had been invited out to the house for burgers, and most eventually made good on that offer.

While his family and friends deeply mourn his sudden passing, they also take heart that Win died doing something he loved. One of Win’s joys was flying and for many years he maintained a private pilot’s license. His passing while on an airplane, traveling to the place of the great sculptors of history feels particularly poignant.

Preceded in death by his father John Smith, mother Katharine "Kay” Carroll and step-father Robert "Bob" Carroll, brother Christopher Smith and sisters Elizabeth Lee and Judy Showalter.

Survived by his loving wife Jill Johnson Smith, daughters Jamie (Martin Puiggari) Smith, Sarah (David) Warren, grandchildren Elena Puiggari, Isabella Puiggari, Elijah Warren, Margot Warren and his beloved dog Willy.

A private graveside service will take place first, followed by a Celebration of Life Service open to the community on Friday, May 5, 2023 at 2:00pm at University Congregational Church, 9209 East 29th St N, Wichita, KS 67226.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.MyLakeviewFuneralHome.com for the Smith family.