William Shergold Smith

Willy was born in Campbell River on June 10, 1944 to Jack and Dora Smith, the youngest and final addition to an already bustling family that included Betty, Peggy, Diane, Jackie, and John. In 1946, the family welcomed a bonus sister, Hazel, Betty's daughter.

Willy spent his early years at MacMillan Bloedel Camp 5 before the family later moved to Nanaimo, where many lifelong memories were made. His mom affectionately nicknamed him Jerry, after her favourite uncle. Thirty one years ago, at the start of his sobriety journey, Jerry chose to take back the name William - a name that marked a new chapter in his life.

Willy attended Nanaimo District Secondary School (NDSS), where he met his future wife, Brenda. They were married in 1967, beginning a partnership filled with love, laughter, and shared adventures.

Willy's career as a butcher with Safeway took the family to several communities, including Price Rupert, Terrace, Powell River, Vancouver, and eventually to Port Alberni in 1981, where they settled and truly made their home. During these years, their family grew. In 1971, willy and Brenda welcomed their first daughter, Nichole, followed by Carol in 1972, Tifany in 1974, and finally Tyler in 1977, who completed the Smith family perfectly.

A talented and dedicated woodworker, Willy and Brenda opened Smitty's Wood and Tole, turning creativity into a family business. Even after the business closed, Willy continued to create wooden treasures for his family. Their entrepreneurial spirit later led to another venture, Spiffy in a Jiffy, which Willy operated following his retirement from Safeway in 1996.

Always a people person, Willy later worked as a security guard at the Port Alberni Casio, where he enjoyed meeting new people and reconnecting with old friends, something that brought him great enjoyment.

After moving to Port Alberni, Willy became actively involved with the Kinsmen Club, leading to many years of dedicated volunteering with the Alberni District Fall Fair. He also joined the Masonic Fraternity serving as Worshipful Master and later as Right Worshipful Brother in Euclid Lodge No 158, which in turn led to his daughters' becoming member of Job's Daughter, where Willy was a proud supporter, a dependable driver, and a familiar encouraging presence.

Will was blessed with 14 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren, all of whom he loved dearly and spoke of often with pride.

He will be fondly remembered for his wonderful sense of humour. He loved a good joke, and you had to watch for that mischievous look in his eye when he was telling you something that might be a bit hard to believe. He had a very kind heart, and was always willing to lend a helping hand.

Willy's legacy lives on in the many lives he touched and the love he shared.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, April 11th from 1:00 to 4:00 pm at the Kin Hut on the Fall Fair Grounds - 4090 Hollywood Street in Port Alberni.