Bill enjoyed growing up in Iowa, Montana and North Dakota before joining the U.S. Army 82nd Airborne serving from 1985 to 1988.
Bill served for a year as a minister in North Dakota then returned to Fargo to finish his undergraduate degree at Moorhead State University. Bill chose to head south for graduate school at The University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston where he studied microbiology and molecular genetics focusing on rhodobacter sphaeroides. While in graduate school, Bill married his wife, Sharon Visser Smith, on May 25, 1996.
Although Bill was not able to complete his graduate degree due to the occurrence of his brain tumor, science always held a special place in his life. Bill also enjoyed a variety of hobbies including anything with a motor!
Bill is survived by his wife Sharon and daughters Lauren and Megan.
Bill is also survived by his sister Martha of Grand Junction, CO, brother Ian and his wife Shannon of Loma, CO, brother Lee and his wife Monica of Parachute, CO, brother Clark and his wife Sue of Seffner, FL, and brother Hugh and his wife Melodee of Welch, MN. Bill is survived by his nieces and nephews: Jenny, Cassondra, Taylor, Stuart, Brady, Luke, Alex, Zach and Ellie along with numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
Bill is preceded in death by his parents Herb and Arlene Smith.
A visitation of friends and family will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Friday, December 20, 2019 at Cook-Walden/Capital Parks, 14501 N Interstate Highway 35, Pflugerville, Texas.
The funeral service will begin at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, December 21, 2019 in The Memorial Chapel of Cook-Walden/Capital Parks, 14501 N. Interstate Highway 35, Pflugerville, Texas.
The interment will be at 3:30 p.m. at the Shady Groves Cemetery, CR 256, Bertram, Texas (off CR 200, 0.2 miles west of N FM 1174). Please join Bill’s family after the burial for a meal at David and Lorene Visser’s home at 2726 N FM 1174, Bertram, Texas.
Services will be led by Bill’s cousin, Loren Quick and childhood friend, Mona Reece, both ministers in the fellowship that Bill loved. Pallbearers will be his brothers Ian, Lee, Clark, and Hugh Smith along with good friends Stephen Klepzig and Richard Wiley.
Many thanks to Bill’s sister Martha who tirelessly provided care for Bill in his last months and many thanks to the staff of Hospice Austin who so graciously helped us through this process. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Hospice Austin.
