William Edmond Smith

William Edmond Smith, born November 17, 1967 in Rockford, Illinois, passed away May 28, 2011 in Houston, Texas. Bill was preceded in death by his grandparents, Benjamin W. and Irene T. Smith, and Norman C. and Eleanor G. Knoll, and Winifred Kluge. He is survived by his wife, Melissa Smith; parents, William R. and Judith L. Smith; sisters, Rachel C. Beavan and husband, Peter, and Michal R. Palatnik and husband, A. Seth; brother-in-law, Christopher M. Pannell and wife, Janet S.; sister-in-law, Gretchen Munderloh; father-in-law and mother-in-law, James B. and Nancy W. Pannell; nieces and nephews, Tyler A. and Samantha R. Sills, Emma C., Evan R., and Ava J. Palatnik, Caroline and Abigail Beavan, and Grace, Gabriela, and Genevieve Pannell; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, other family, and friends.

Bill graduated from St. Charles High School in St. Charles, Illinois. He attended college at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology in Rapid City, South Dakota and graduated with a BS in Chemical Engineering in 1990. Bill started his career with Shell Chemical in 1990, and worked for ConocoPhillips since 1996. He spent his career as a control systems, instrument, and electrical engineer. Bill was well respected in his field and in addition to his work he also helped mentor many young engineers. He was a true engineer and could fix or build anything at work or home.

Bill loved to travel and also loved football and baseball. He was a die-hard Chicago Cubs and Chicago Bears fan. He also enjoyed the outdoors and was an avid fly fisherman, scuba diver and skier. When he lived in Montana, he spent almost every weekend hiking, camping, fishing, or skiing with his wife Melissa. They met on her very first day of work at Shell Chemical in 1992, and 6 months later were engaged to be married. Bill and Melissa spent 19 fun filled years together and had many great adventures. Bill was a wonderful son, husband, brother, uncle, brother-in-law, and friend, and could always be counted on to do anything to help others. Although he was quiet, he had a sarcastic sense of humor and was a bit of a prankster. Bill not only was giving and loving to people, but also humored his wife in her love of animals and helped her take care of many stray cats. One friend describes their backyard as the “wild kingdom” due to all the stray cats that are hanging around on the patio. Bill also loved horses and growing up he had several horses, worked at horse farms and competed in equestrian. He was a lifetime member of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo; he and Melissa really enjoyed going to the Rodeo together.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association or the homeless pet group Bill and Melissa volunteered for, Buster's Friends: www.bustersfriends.org.

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Arrangements under the direction of Heights Funeral Home, 1317 Heights Boulevard, Houston, Texas.