William Haines Smart

October 26, 1948 – November 27, 2024

William "Bill" Haines Smart passed away on November 27, 2024, in Yuma, Arizona. Born on October 26, 1948, in Salt Lake City, Utah, Bill lived a remarkable life filled with adventure, laughter, and a deep love for family, friends, and the great outdoors.

Bill is survived by his cherished daughters, Stacey (Mike) Shelley and Stephanie (Evens) Delinois; his sisters, Gwenith (Jeffrey) Smart and Linda (Andy) Lawrence; his brother, Lynn (Ursula) Burgess; seven adoring grandchildren, Stevens Delinois, Zachary (Abby) Hedgepeth, Shawn Hedgepeth, Mason Shelley, Hayden (Andrea) Shelley, Parker Shelley, and Grace Shelley; and two great-grandchildren, Aaliyah and Presley Shelley. He was preceded in death by his parents, Alvin and Margaret Smart, and Gwenith Papadakis; his brother, Allen Smart; and his beloved granddaughter, Daphne Delinois.

Early Life and Education

Bill spent his childhood in California and Utah, where he developed a love for adventure and the great outdoors. Some of his fondest memories were fishing and camping with his grandparents, especially at Teapot Lake in the Uintas. He graduated from Granite High School in 1967, forging lifelong friendships along the way.

He was the first in his family to attend and graduate from college, earning a bachelor’s degree in Geology from the University of Utah. During his college years, he met Patricia Williams, the love of his life. They married on March 27, 1971, and soon after, moved to Maine while Bill served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War. After his service, Bill returned to Salt Lake City to continue building a family close to those he held dear.

Career and Passions

Bill dedicated more than 25 years of his professional life to the State of Utah as a Water Rights Specialist, safeguarding one of the state’s most precious resources. However, his true passion emerged as a volunteer Wildland Firefighter, a role that combined his love for nature with his selfless desire to serve his community.

An avid outdoorsman, Bill’s happiest days were spent fishing in the Uintas or at Strawberry Reservoir, boating at Lake Powell, Utah Lake, and Flaming Gorge, camping in the mountains, or hunting with friends. Summers were synonymous with adventure, with most weekends spent in the fresh air alongside family and friends. A true tinkerer, Bill had a knack for fixing anything and spent hours working on cars, boats, motorcycles, and even building three homes with his own hands.

Family and Retirement

Bill found immense joy in his grandchildren, creating lasting memories through camping, fishing, and ATV rides—passing down his love for the outdoors to the next generation. His grandchildren were his pride and joy and the focus of his dreams for the future.

In retirement, Bill embraced the freedom to travel. He spent months exploring the wild beauty of Alaska, relaxed in Hawaii, took in every sight at the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, celebrated his daughter’s wedding in the Dominican Republic, and most recently, traveled to Tillamook, Oregon, to attend his grandson’s wedding.

Final Chapter

In his later years, as his body began to slow, Bill found solace in simple pleasures. He enjoyed watching old westerns, war documentaries, cooking shows, and Hallmark movies, laughing and crying as though he were seeing them for the first time. Family jokes often revolved around needing to consider his TV schedule before making plans.

Seeking warmth and comfort in his final chapter, Bill spent his winters in San Diego, Palm Desert, and Yuma, Arizona. His time in Yuma was brief but meaningful, filled with precious moments of connection with his sister, for which he was deeply grateful.

Legacy

Bill was a true light in the lives of everyone who knew him. He was genuinely a shy guy, yet somehow seemed to make friends with everyone he met. His infectious laugh, playful sense of humor, and signature silly T-shirts made him the life of any gathering. His quirky sayings, genuine kindness, and zest for life will be remembered by all, living on through the generations he leaves behind.

Known affectionately by many names—William, Bill, Billy, Dad, Pops, Papooh, and Papa—he will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of loving him.

Celebration of Life

A celebration of Bill’s life will be held at a later date. Please check back for updates on the time, date, and location.