Grenfall William Smith

Bill died,peacefully, on July 23, his family gathered around him. It seemed fitting that his long illness came to an end for which Bill seemed to be prepared. He has left us with wonderful memories, and the love he gave will sustain his family in their deep sorrow. We celebrate him and his eighty five years. He was a man with many talents,not the least of which was his zeal to live his life to the fullest. He was born in St. Paul, Minnesota to Laura and Reuben Smith,and was the youngest of three children.His father traveled with the Great Northern railroad as a master mechanic. Bill was proud of his Dad who without formal training had the singular ability to repair diesel engines. However, with his father away so often young Bill created a good share of trouble in the neighborhood. For instance, he wanted to watch some old tires burn,after spraying them with gasoline. The problem was they were stored in his Father’s garage! Later when Bill told this story to his sons, I was glad he mentioned the serious spanking which he was given.

When the family were moved to Superior, Wisconsin, Bill finished high school there.He’d matriculated through the St.Paul public school system and missed his friends who also had given their parents a bit of trouble. At the end of high school, the war was declared and Bill chose to enlist in the navy. He trained as a fighter pilot ,and flew torpedo bombers. He came home without seeing duty overseas ,and was determined to resume flying in civilian life. This plan did not materialize since his hearing had been injured by the engine noise of his fighter plane.

After the war Bill enrolled at Willamette University at Salem Oregon. So began his love for the Pacific Northwest. Bill returned to St. Paul to study in night school at William Mitchell College of Law,At this time he met and married one Jean Cummins whose father happened to have an opening in his law firm! At this point Bill’s Buick convertible became Jean’s father’s favorite “barb” The car was a little ostentatious and the warning went out from father to daughter:”You can’t trust a man who drives a car like that!” After retiring from Dudley and Smith a law firm he co-founded with a St.Paul attorney he heard the call of warm weather sailing, tennis,golf and no more snow to shovel. Their four sons :Craig,Gary,Mark and David had left the nest, and so did their parents.

Homes in Florida, Stuart,first, then Ponte Vedra. The pinnacle of the migration was Laguna Niguel and a house (unseen by wife) he bought as her Christmas present! But the Northwest was the destined location. The Smiths lived, first, on Mercer Island,next Gig Harbor and, finally, Bellevue. Fortunately for Bill and Jean their children live close by. Bill also lived a dream by designing the couple’s home in Palm Desert. There have been ten happy years there,with golfing friends who were a source of loving care and support.

Bill ‘s spirit in the face of adversity will be a benchmark for his family. We were blessed by his love for us, which we will remember and send back to him wherever he rests. May it be in peace.

Arrangements under the direction of Sunset Hills Funeral Home, Bellevue, WA.