Brunswick-William H. “Bill” Smith Sr., 93, died peacefully Monday, May 6, 2024, at his longtime Tambul Lane residence with his loved ones by his side.
Born April 18, 1931, in Green Island, Bill was the son of the late Chester and Katherine (Garner) Smith and, for over 63 years, the husband of Ann T. (Rifenburg) Smith, who predeceased him January 30, 2019. Bill and Ann were married on May 22, 1955, Ann’s 20th birthday.
Bill attended Troy High School but left before graduating to take a job as a mechanic to help support his family. Knowing the value of an education, he later earned a General Equivalency Diploma to enhance his education, be an example to his children, and further his job growth in his own career.
On December 13, 1950, he enlisted in the United States Air Force and was sent to Kelley Air Force Base, Texas, for basic training and service school. He was then assigned to and served overseas for the next two years and four months, earning the rank of Airmen Second Class during the Korean Conflict. On December 12, 1954, he was honorably discharged and returned home with the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, and the National Service Medal.
After meeting the love of his life and marrying Ann, Bill and his father-in-law built a home on Tambul Lane that he and Ann raised their family in and would become his “castle” for the rest of his life.
Bill was a member of the United Auto Workers Union and was employed for over 23 years at the Ford Green Island Plant. More recently, he worked as a private security officer at the Hedley Park Place building in Troy before retiring for good.
Bill was a man of many talents. He enjoyed earning a private pilot’s license and flying single engine planes from the Poestenkill Air Park for many years. He was self-taught and a wealth of knowledge about handguns and gun safety, as well as an expert marksman with a pistol. He was a competitive archer and award winner with a bow and arrow. However, his true love and most favorite pastime was camping with Ann and his family. Bill initially owned a small tow behind camper and graduated to a self-contained motorhome before purchasing a truck and the ultimate fifth wheel camper. His love of the outdoors and nature was so strong that even on the day he died he said he couldn’t wait to buy his next boat.
Bill is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Allison and Mark Casey of Ipswich, MA, and William H. and Susan Smith Jr. of Boston, MA, a sister-in-law, Joan Crook of Brunswick, three granddaughters, Valerie McCormack, Siobhan Murphy, and Shelby Jennings, seven great grandchildren, several nieces and nephews, and his beloved puppy companion, Poppy. In addition to his parents and wife, he was predeceased by seven siblings and his brother-in-law, John “Jack” Crook.
Relatives and friends are invited to call from 4:00-7:00 p.m. on Friday, May 10, 2024, at the Howard B. Tate and Son Funeral Home Inc., 2237 New York Route 7, located in Raymertown. A funeral service for Bill will be held at the funeral home on Saturday, May 11, at 10:00 a.m. Burial with military honors will follow at Eagle Mills Cemetery at 11:30 a.m.
At the request of the family, no flowers please, but rather either plant a tree or sapling in your yard or bring a live plant, arborvitae, or sapling to the funeral home that can and will be planted at Bill’s home in his memory.
Those desiring to make a contribution in memory of Bill are invited to make a gift to either Community Hospice, 315 South Manning Blvd., Albany, NY 12208 or to the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society, 3 Oakland Avenue, Albany, New York 12203 in memory of William H. Smith Sr.
Born April 18, 1931, in Green Island, Bill was the son of the late Chester and Katherine (Garner) Smith and, for over 63 years, the husband of Ann T. (Rifenburg) Smith, who predeceased him January 30, 2019. Bill and Ann were married on May 22, 1955, Ann’s 20th birthday.
Bill attended Troy High School but left before graduating to take a job as a mechanic to help support his family. Knowing the value of an education, he later earned a General Equivalency Diploma to enhance his education, be an example to his children, and further his job growth in his own career.
On December 13, 1950, he enlisted in the United States Air Force and was sent to Kelley Air Force Base, Texas, for basic training and service school. He was then assigned to and served overseas for the next two years and four months, earning the rank of Airmen Second Class during the Korean Conflict. On December 12, 1954, he was honorably discharged and returned home with the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, and the National Service Medal.
After meeting the love of his life and marrying Ann, Bill and his father-in-law built a home on Tambul Lane that he and Ann raised their family in and would become his “castle” for the rest of his life.
Bill was a member of the United Auto Workers Union and was employed for over 23 years at the Ford Green Island Plant. More recently, he worked as a private security officer at the Hedley Park Place building in Troy before retiring for good.
Bill was a man of many talents. He enjoyed earning a private pilot’s license and flying single engine planes from the Poestenkill Air Park for many years. He was self-taught and a wealth of knowledge about handguns and gun safety, as well as an expert marksman with a pistol. He was a competitive archer and award winner with a bow and arrow. However, his true love and most favorite pastime was camping with Ann and his family. Bill initially owned a small tow behind camper and graduated to a self-contained motorhome before purchasing a truck and the ultimate fifth wheel camper. His love of the outdoors and nature was so strong that even on the day he died he said he couldn’t wait to buy his next boat.
Bill is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Allison and Mark Casey of Ipswich, MA, and William H. and Susan Smith Jr. of Boston, MA, a sister-in-law, Joan Crook of Brunswick, three granddaughters, Valerie McCormack, Siobhan Murphy, and Shelby Jennings, seven great grandchildren, several nieces and nephews, and his beloved puppy companion, Poppy. In addition to his parents and wife, he was predeceased by seven siblings and his brother-in-law, John “Jack” Crook.
Relatives and friends are invited to call from 4:00-7:00 p.m. on Friday, May 10, 2024, at the Howard B. Tate and Son Funeral Home Inc., 2237 New York Route 7, located in Raymertown. A funeral service for Bill will be held at the funeral home on Saturday, May 11, at 10:00 a.m. Burial with military honors will follow at Eagle Mills Cemetery at 11:30 a.m.
At the request of the family, no flowers please, but rather either plant a tree or sapling in your yard or bring a live plant, arborvitae, or sapling to the funeral home that can and will be planted at Bill’s home in his memory.
Those desiring to make a contribution in memory of Bill are invited to make a gift to either Community Hospice, 315 South Manning Blvd., Albany, NY 12208 or to the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society, 3 Oakland Avenue, Albany, New York 12203 in memory of William H. Smith Sr.