Lt Col (Ret) William Clinton "Bill" Smith, 50, of Pelham, Ala. passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, January 12, 2013. The Anniston, Ala. native was a former lieutenant and paramedic with the Pelham Fire Department.
Bill was commissioned as a Combat Engineer Officer in the U.S. Army. His military career included several overseas deployments to Central and South America, two combat tours in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom 2005-2006 and 2010-2011 during which he received the coveted Combat Action Badge (CAB), numerous awards to include the Bronze Star, four Army Commendation Medals, three Army Achievement Medals, the National Defense Ribbon (Second Award), the Armed Forces Reserve Medal (Mobilized), Overseas Ribbon, Global War on Terrorism, and the Air Assault Badge. While in the military, he earned his bachelor degree in college.
Bill retired from the military in 2010, after which he continued to serve his nation as a Department of the Army Civilian at the U.S. Army Sustainment Command as a contingency operations planner for man-made, natural disaster and war-time contingency operations which took him back to Iraq for six months in 2011 in support of the Department of State and six month tour to Entebbe Uganda in support of contingency Operation Observant Compass.
Bill was proudest, however, of the young boys who achieved the Eagle Scout rank under his direction as Scoutmaster for Troop 404 at Pelham First Baptist Church. He and his family have been active members at Pelham First Baptist for several years.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Getral Smith and Wanda Hughes Smith. Survivors include Bill's wife of 25 years, Connie Foshee Smith; son, Joshua Clay Smith; daughter, Michelle Smith Baugh; grandchildren, Packey Smith and Abigail Baugh; and two brothers, Gary Smith and Geeter Smith.
Visitation will be at Pelham First Baptist Church from 9-11 a.m. on Friday, January 18, 2013, immediately followed by the 11 a.m. funeral service at the church. Burial will follow in Alabama National Cemetery, Montevallo.
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