William George Smith III

Smith, William “Bill” G., age 84 of Scituate, formerly of Roxbury passed away December 15, 2017. Bill was the loving husband of 55 years to Jean (Curran) Smith. He was the son to the late William and Regina Smith, and late brother, Thomas. Beloved father to Susan Marx of Plymouth, Jean English, her husband Richard of Scituate, and William, his wife Christine of Norwell. Cherished grandfather to Jaime, Taylor, Katherine, Isabella, Augustine, Monica, and Jude. Bill is also survived by many cousins, nieces and nephews. He will be lovingly remembered by all his friends, relatives, former athletes, and especially family friends Bobby Kelley, Alan Carr- Locke, and David Hemery.

Bill graduated from Boston Trade High School and was a very accomplished track and field athlete. He was inducted into Massachusetts Schoolboy Athletes Hall of Fame for his outstanding achievements as a young high school runner. Bill then went to Boston University (1951-1955) on a track and field scholarship where he continued to make and break track records in middle distance running. Bill was New England 880 champion in 1953. He graduated from BU holding records in the 600, 880, 1000, and one mile. Bill competed internationally during and after college and won many races. He was inducted into Boston University Hall of Fame for Athletes in1978. After BU, Bill was in the US Army for a couple of years where he ran competitively in the US and Europe.

As a coach at both high school and collegiate level, Bill strived to have each athlete reach his full potential. Bill coached 16 years at BU, coaching several Olympians, including Olympic champion, David Hemery. Bill’s gift of running and his love for track and field was evident every day on the track. He truly loved the sport and his athletes’ accomplishments under his tutelage whether it be winning a race or reaching a personal best. He was also inducted into Massachusetts State Track and Field Coaches Hall of Fame (1993). Bill also coached Scituate High School Cross Country, Indoor and Outdoor track for over twenty years and had athletes who won numerous individual and team state titles. Coach Smith was also voted Coach of the Year several times throughout his coaching career. Widely known around Scituate as “Mr. Smith,” he was a physical education teacher in Scituate for 37 years. Between his teaching and coaching careers he dedicated 44 years to the Scituate public schools. He will be missed tremendously, but his life and love will live on in the hearts of those he touched.

A visitation will take place on Tuesday, December 19 from 4-8 pm at Richardson-Gaffey Funeral Home at 381 First Parish Road in Scituate. A funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, December 20 at 10am at St. Mary of the Nativity Church, 1 Kent Street, in Scituate. In lieu of flowers, donations in Bill’s memory may be made to the Special Olympics Massachusetts, 512 Forest Street in Marlborough, MA 01752.