Name: D'Elia Funeral Home
Address: Lakewood, NJ

Eva...I didn't know. So very sorry that you lost your loving man and we,  a good friend. He made this world a better place through his decency and kindness. Bill will be sorely missed. He leaves a legacy that his friends and family will always treasure.
Suzanne and Ray Shea

The Witnessing of a Hero's Journey
By Jonathan Dunnemann

The treasured life of this widely beloved hero's journey began to unfold for me through the beautiful memories that were often shared with me by my wife, Wilda. For example, she has exuberantly recounted how both she and younger sister Julie would remove their father's boots upon his return home from a long day at the US Army Base in Hawaii and then climb into his lap in eager anticipation of his forthcoming sweet singing of traditional folk songs to all three of his wonderful daughters in the most joy-filled and reassuring fashion. 

 There can be no doubt that this American Citizen, Christian man, son, brother, dutiful husband, father, war veteran and loyal friend was truly grateful for all of the blessings that God had bestowed upon him and his family all throughout his life. He has always been exceedingly thankful for and enormously proud of each one of the ladies in his household. Resultantly, both his wife and their precious children are a magnificent and radiant reflection of the awesome gifts of God's goodness, grace, and greatness.

 As even further evidence of Dad's immense love for his family, I also recall the tremendous delight that he took in showing me an old reel-to-reel tape deck footage of the entire family enjoying themselves during some of their time spent living in Hawaii where youngest sister Julie was born. For me, it was absolutely amazing to be able to see my future wife playfully moving about as a little girl along with sisters' Ivy and Julie. There too was Mother beaming and so completely contented. The rather brief glimpses of Dad revealed him either washing the family car or fixing something that needed mending. That is what a servant-leader takes joy in  the doing or owning and fully accepting the responsibility. 

 Growing up on a farm just outside of Richmond, Virginia in the town of Doswell his two sisters Aunt Margaret and Aunt Silvia, his Mother and Father, and his closest friends called Dad by his nickname Buck which denotes a robust and spirited young man. Based on so many other stories that have been told to me, I know that in his early youth Dad displayed many outstanding qualities such as courage, dependability, fortitude, ingenuity, kindness, loyalty, and responsibility. What has been so incredibly inspiring to me is not only that he managed to consistently maintain these valuable character traits but that he found the motivation to further commit himself in his advancing adult life to an even more rigorous pursuit of daily spiritual practices that included prayer, bible reading, exercise and being of service to others wherever he felt God was calling him. This powerful combination perpetually produced fruits of the spirit' that he freely gave to others while desiring absolutely nothing in return. 

 As was quite common during that period in time, Dad married his one and only high school sweetheart, joined the Army, and along with many other brave men did a tour in Vietnam for which he was later awarded the Purple Heart. Eventually, after 21 years of outstanding service he retired at the rank of Army Command Sergeant Major. True to his nature and his military training he made sure that his family was well prepared for the next chapter in their life.

 Often referring to themselves as Army brats, the Smithers family had spent several years living on Army bases in Texas, Kentucky, Hawaii, and Germany and elsewhere. Upon initially resuming civilian life, Dad entered into the Real Estate sales business and together Mother and Dad eventually purchased Whispering Pine a state licensed residential health care facility (RHCF) which they later expanded from 25 to a 50 bed capacity. 

 When the timing was right, they both returned to school with Dad obtaining a B.A. in Business Administration from Trenton State College and Mother not only attending Georgian Court College where she received a B.A. in Psychology but ambitiously pushing herself on to the next level and successfully obtaining her M.A. in Educational Psychology from Rutgers University. Together, these gorgeous love birds continued to raise the bar by demonstrating to their children how to live each day with a sense of calm, purpose, meaning, and willingness to share all of their talents, time, and home with their children's growing families, other relatives, and an ever increasing spectrum of cherished friends.

 Probably the most important lesson that I learned through my increasing close and honest relationship with Dad is that as part of our human striving or dealing with life as adventure, one ultimately discovers that wisdom increases through the ongoing process of serving others. For he loved all of life, beginning with the birds to whom he sang in the early morning, the flowers, the trees, the fruits and vegetables that he planted and nurtured to their fullness, and all animals. He had a giant heart for people and expansive respect for the elderly, innocent, neglected, suffering, vulnerable, and weak among us. He taught me, as only the great teachers do, by his example. 

 It was not his manner to ever try to talk anyone into anything. No, he was simply a centered man earnestly living his deep principles every day in everything that he did. I feel extremely privileged to have been mentored and loved by him because it afforded me the rare and much needed opportunity as an adult to witness a real hero's journey.

 Thank you Father God for the generous gift of retired Army Command Sergeant Major William E. Smithers and for all 82 years of his life. We have all truly been blessed by his life example, along with his never-ending friendship, joy, knowledge, loving kindness, patience, understanding and wisdom.

Dear Wilda and Family,
Your father was a wonderful man who made a difference in Lakewood by his civic involvement. It was truly an honor to know him and your mother and be in their company. I am sincerely sorry for your loss. 

Dominick Manco, Freehold, NJ

MACEDONIA/ 0.C.E.A.N. SENIOR HOUSING
Macedonia Housing & Development Corporation

Proverbs 29:18 Where there is no vision the people perish.


Resolution of Respect for William E. (Bill) Smithers

There will always be a place in our hearts as we come together to pay our respects to Bill's  memory / legacy. Bill's whose time with us will be best and most appropriately remembered as a teacher and mentor. 

This Resolution is for the Smithers' family  a thank you for sharing Bill with us.

 WHEREAS, our brother loved to sing praises and offer encouraging words to many who were downtrodden. He will be missed but not forgotten. His legacy as a co-founder of the first formal African American investment partnership (Crescent Enterprise); a chartered member of Macedonia Housing Development Corp ( Reverend  Dr. Albert C. Clayton Senior Housing); and the  galore that the Smithers family performed each Christmas for the resident of the senior resident.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that we embrace the Smither's family as a common bond that will connect us for the rest of your lives. 

Macedonia Housing & Development Corp.
G.Y. Wyatt
C. J. Fenn
Arnold Brown
Dale Yarde

Dear Eva,  truly saddened to hear of your loss.  Bill was a well respected person if the community and will be missed.

Thank you Eva for sharing your Bill with us

The officers and members of the OCEAN COUNTY NAACP (LAKEWOOD) join in the celebration of the life of  WILLIAM "BILL" "BUCKE" SMITHERS . 
May he R.I.P. and may the Peace of the Lord be With You and the family is in ours prayers
Fred Rush, President, NAACP

My Dear Sister Eva and family. It is hard to find words to express our sorrow of the passing of such a splendid man as Bill. May he has eternal rest and may you and the family know that we grieve with you. Blessings and Love.

Dear Eva and family! It has been my great pleasure and honor to be Bill's friend for many years. Rotary, Chamber of Commerce and the Kimball Board of Trustees have all benefited from Bill's wonderful personality and love of life. May God keep you and know that Bill rests in peace

Eva
Please accept my sincere condolences on the loss of your beloved husband. You and your family will remain forever in my prayers. Bill was very special, he was a mentor and a person I considered a friend.  He will be deeply missed.

Dear Aunt Eva,
Uncle Bill was one of the best men I've ever known.  My prayers for you and your family and have peace knowing that Uncle Bill is now resting peacefully watching over you.
Joy

My dear Eva, Ivy, Ron, Wilda, Jon, Jessica, Marshall, Ronnie, Jessica, Michael, Daniel and M2.  My dear brother Bill will always be with us.  He was such a wonderful person and caring person.  Thanks to each of you for letting us be a part of your warm, kind and loving family.  May God continue to strengthen you and comfort you.  Kessye, Donna and Joy

Dear Eva and Family:
God bless and keep you. God's peace be with you.  At this your time time of bereavement.  Our Prayers go out to all of you at this time of your  loss for your husband, father, and grandfather.

                                                      James and Jane Boykins (Manchester, NJ)

Dear  Eva & Family 
as you give him authority over all flesh that he should give eternal life.
to as many as you have give him  
The Minnie woods & family

Dear Mrs Eva& Family
as you have given him authority over all flesh that he should give eternal life to as many as you have given him "" 
you have our sypmathy

Dear Eva: Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.  I can only say to you be comforted in knowing that you have another angel to watch over you and your family, for we truly know Bill is in heaven watching over all of us.  He was a real role model of what a good guy was supposed to be, never a harsh word nor ill will towards anyone.  I loved him as a leader and as a friend.  God Bless You!  Barbara Gilmore

Eva, our thoughts are with you and your lovely family. Bill was such a warm and humble guy, a loving husband and wonderful father as well as a good friend. He will be missed by all who knew him. 
Fondly,
Susan and David Sickel

To:  Mrs Smithers and family, 

May you find peace and comfort at this time of bereavement.  Our prayers go out to all of you.

The Bivins Family, Lakewood, NJ

Dear Eva and Family, May God grant you His peace and comfort. We will always remember Bill as a wonderful family man,a servant of God and a dear friend. Be Blessed!

A ready smile, an agreeable nature and a man who I considered my friend. He made a difference. He mattered. The world has lost a good man and we shall all feel the immensity of his absence . Rest dear man knowing you made this a better place. Peace to you and those who are left behind to mourn.

To: Eva and family
    Our prayers are with you during this
    time of bereavement.

Dearest Eva
  As life goes on, we hope that you will find ways to celebrate the memory of your beloved husband, Bill. We have all lost a great friend, but in our hearts we know that you have suffered the greatest loss of all.  The heart has its own memory and we hope that in his memory you will discover the rich legacy he has left you and your lovely family. We feel fortunate to have known Bill all of these years and to have seen the fruits of his creativity and sensitivity.
  We love you, Eva.
   Shirley and Tom Williams
    Sunny Isles Beach, Florida

May you rest in peace! You will be missed by many. Love you

Uncle Buck, We will always remember your smile and humbleness. May you rest in peace.

AVIS DE DÉCÈS

Ret. CSM William "Bill" E. Smithers

11 janvier 1933 – 24 avril 2015

D'Elia Funeral Home

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