William Sanford Smalling

William Sanford Smalling passed away on March 3, 2009 in Austin. He was born December 4, 1952 in Baytown, Texas to Jack Smalling and the late Marie Smalling. He attended school in Sigonella, Sicily, and graduated from Robert E. Lee High School in Baytown, where he excelled on the swim team. Bill graduated from the University of Texas in Austin in 1974 with a degree in finance. During college, he owned T. Schertz & Co. with Susan Ball, later marrying and sharing his life with her for more than 30 years. They have two sons, Jon and Sam. Bill was a proud and enthusiastic father and cherished his time with his sons, focusing on basketball with Jon and Scouting with Sam. When he founded his real estate company, Smalling Interests, in 1985, it was an accurate name for the scope of his future activities as the things he was interested in were wide and varied. Bill's curiosity about people and his exuberance for life were legendary. He spared no effort in creating experiences of a lifetime for his family and friends, which often involved travel to Europe and Mexico. Inheriting his mother's artistic talents, Bill had an contagious sense of joy and wonder at the beauties of the world and nature. His friends and family will remember Bill as a faithful servant of the Lord, an encouraging spirit with an infectious smile, a true visionary and an avid Longhorn fan. He had a gift for culinary creation, a passion for all things Italian, and an unequaled love of adventure. Survivors include Bill's wife, Susan, two sons, Jon and Sam; his father, Jack, of Baytown, brother Dr. Richard Smalling and wife Sharon; sister Jeanne Archer and her husband Mike; brother-in-law Robert and wife, Debbie; sister-in-law Julie and husband, David; brother-in-law, Howard and wife Diana; and nine beloved nieces and nephews: Andy, Geoff, Julie, Elizabeth, Stephanie, Stefanie, Saundra, Amanda, Nathan, and Haden. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, March 6, 2009 at the Westlake Bible Church, 9238 Bee Caves Road in Austin. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Smalling Family Education Fund (American Bank, ATTN Stan Tucker, 3267 Bee Caves Road, Suite 103, Austin 78746) or a favorite charity. The lives he touched span the globe. He will be greatly missed.