William "Bill" Smith

Bill was born April 22, 1939, in Providence, Rhode Island, to Herbert and Mary Helen Smith.

Bill attended Conestoga High School in Pennsylvania and graduated with the class of 1957. He earned an undergraduate degree in engineering from Drexel University and a master's in aviation management from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

Bill joined the Air Force in 1963. He attended flight school, trained as a combat fighter pilot on the McDonnell F4 Phantom, and in 1966, while escorting several bombers, his aircraft engaged with enemy aircraft and shot down the first MiG-21 of the Vietnam War. For his valor in combat and service to his country, he was awarded the Silver Star, the Distinguished Flying Cross, and many other commendations. After a full career and multiple deployments overseas in England, Korea, and Germany, Bill retired in 1986 as a Lieutenant Colonel.

After the Air Force, Bill joined Lockheed Martin in Marietta, Georgia. At Lockheed, he was involved in the development and production of the F-22 Raptor fighter jet. Bill lived a full life of love, laughter, friends, and animals. He believed in God and the “American Dream”.

Along with his parents, Bill is preceded in death by his first wife, Candice, his second wife, Brenda, and his brother, George. Bill is survived by his stepsons, Randy Shipman (Melissa) and Jeffrey Shipman (Briana); brother-in-law, Tom Randle (Victoria); sister-in-law, Sandy Jones; nieces, Pam Howard (George), Kelly Knowles (Todd), nephews, Bob Smith (Liz), Scott Smith (Stephanie); many great nieces and nephews; and step-grandchildren, Grace and Maggie Shipman.

The visitation will be held on Monday, April 20, 2026, from 9:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. at Winkenhofer Pine Ridge Funeral Home and Memorial Park, 2950 Cobb Pkwy NW, Kennesaw, GA 30152, with a service to follow at 11:00 a.m. William will be laid to rest with military honors at Georgia National Cemetery at 1:30 p.m.