William Henry Smolak

William (Bill) H. Smolak, retired Sergeant Major, U.S. Army, age 77, passed away on Friday, October 31, 2025. The oldest of four children, Bill was born in Auburn, NY, the only son of Harry H. and Marjorie A. Smolak. As a child, he worked for his father in the family gas station. It closed in 1965 because of his father’s ill health.

Bill joined the Army in 1966, and his first overseas assignment was in Thailand. There he met the love of his life, Catsy, whom he married in Bangkok in 1968.

Bill spent 25 years traveling the world and came to El Paso in 1987. He served assignments in New Jersey, Oklahoma, Thailand, Kansas, California, Vietnam, Hawaii, Guam, Alabama, Maryland, Germany, and Texas. His awards include the Vietnam Armed Forces Honor Medal, Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, NCO Professional Development Ribbon (Level 4), National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Service Star, Good Conduct Medal (8th Award), Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with Bronze Campaign Star, Army Achievement Medal (2nd OLC), Army Commendation Medal (3rd OLC), Joint Service Commendation Medal (1st OLC), Bronze Star Medical, and Meritorious Service Medal (3rd OLC). Bill was most proud of his work at the U.S. Army Sergeant’s Major Academy (now the NCO Leadership Center of Excellence), where he was the lead developer and senior instructor for the Battle Staff NCO Course. He led a team of about 36 soldiers in developing the course in 1989, 1990, and 1991. Bill retired from the Army in 1991.

After his retirement, Bill worked for several local companies before working as a contract employee with DEA. His first contract job was at the El Paso Intelligence Center in 1992. In 2000 he was hired by locally owned defense contractor, Research, Analysis, and Maintenance (RAM) Inc. The Waldron family were always kind to bill and Catsy. He retired in 2007 due to health conditions affecting both himself and his wife.

Bill furthered his education having earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology and a dual master’s degree in human resource development and management. He would go on to teaching mainly sociology courses as an adjunct professor at Park University up until 2007. Bill and Catsy then found their retirement adventure, fishing at Elephant Butte Lake, NM. If you knew Bill, you knew that he and Catsy spent most of their retirement time at the lake. They also traveled throughout the U.S. and to Thailand to visit family and friends.

Bill is survived by his beloved wife of 57 years, Catsy (Thong-Dee), and their loving daughter, Natasha Smolak. He is also survived by grandson, Noah, son-in-law, Jimmy Dominguez; sisters, Linda Smolak (James Keeler) from Ohio and Jacqueline (Eddie) Stephens from Florida.

Visitation will be Tuesday, November 11, 2025, from 5pm to 9pm with a Service at 7pm at Funeraria Del Angel Evergreen East, 12400 Montana Ave, 79938. Graveside Service will be Wednesday, November 12, 2025 at 11am at Evergreen Cemetery East with interment to follow.