August William Smith Jr. “Bill” passed away peacefully on July 7th 2024 at the age of 83 surrounded by family. Bill was born on October 10th, 1940 to August William Smith Sr. and Annie Carlson Smith in Austin, Texas. He grew up learning a lot about his Swedish heritage from his Grandmother Anderson who lived a block from the Texas Capital. Growing up he attended St. Mary Cathedral School and the Nuns that taught him had a big influence in his formative years encouraging his thirst for knowledge that would influence his entire life. He enjoyed many of the fine arts with a love of music including singing, playing the piano and organ. He played in numerous churches and church services including many of his family member’s weddings throughout the years. He also began painting with oil colors and started painting Texas landscapes especially focusing on the Texas Hill Country that he grew up around.
He graduated from McCallum High school in 1958 and went to the University of Texas where he began studying Business specializing in Engineering and Systems. He graduated from the University of Texas with his first of three degrees in 1963 and started a master’s program in the business school completing it in 1965. While in graduate school he met the love of his life, Jane Rich, and they were married on January 30th 1965.
He was a proud American who served his country joining ROTC at the University of Texas and continued his service over the next 25-years including active posts at White Sands Missile Range and a year in Vietnam in 1966. Upon completion of his active duty he continued to serve his country in the National Guard helping write the strategic plan for selective service for the 20th century. When he retired from the military he obtained the rank of Full Colonel and was very proud of his military record.
In 1967, he went back to school at the University of Texas to work on his PhD. He was working on his dissertation at NASA in 1969, when we won the space race and put a man on the moon.
Upon completing his dissertation he started an illustrious career in education, teaching hundreds and hundreds of students over the next 50-years for several prestigious Universities including The University of Texas, Texas A&M University, Le Tourneau University, Army Commander General Staff and War College Class of 1988, Assistant to Director of Army Research Labs strategic studies. Throughout his academic life he published numerous papers and wrote several books. In his later years he was a consultant for several businesses including fortune 500 Companies that helped organized their leadership.
The most important things to Bill were his love of family and love of God. He loved his family so much! Prior to being married he was always with his family including his younger brother Kenneth, numerous cousins, Grandparents, Aunts and Uncles and eventually nieces and nephews. His wife Jane and he would have been married 60-years this coming January. On January 15th 1970 Bill and Jane expanded their family with the birth of a son, Michael Rich Smith. On February 9th 1972 they welcomed their second son Mark August Smith. His sons were a great source of pride and joy. He provided a great life for them over the rest of his life. They could always count on him for his help, advice and Love. In his later years he had two new bundles of joy, his granddaughters Sadie Noelle Smith born June 23rd, 2016 and Carly Jane Smith born August 7th, 2019. He would always have a smile on his face when his granddaughters were around. He loved them and they loved their Papaw. They would play the piano and sing songs with Papaw as well as painting pictures and dying eggs around Easter. Bill was always involved in Church from his beginnings. He was raised to believe in Christ from a young age and was very active in the Methodist Church playing the piano and organ, youth groups, singing in the Church he grew up in. He was always striving to learn about God and grow spiritually. One of the highlights of his life was meeting the Rev. Billy Graham while serving in Vietnam. After he married Jane they were members of the Episcopal Church and raised Mike and Mark at St Andrews Episcopal Church in Bryan, Texas. Upon returning to Austin in 1990 Bill and Jane joined St Matthews. While attending there Bill served the Lord for years in numerous activities including the Vestry, The Brotherhood of St Andrews, Thursday morning Bible Study, planning and history of the memorial garden, Curcillo, Conextions, playing the piano and organ and was always a powerful voice singing on Sunday mornings in the congregation, and so much more.
Proceeded in Death Father: August William Smith Sr, Mother: Annie Carlson Smith, Sister-In-Law: Carol Rich Baker, Nephew Christopher Rich Baker, and several close Cousins. Survived by Wife: Jane Rich Smith, Son: Mark August Smith, Son: Michael Rich Smith and Wife Shirley Reynolds Smith, Granddaughters: Sadie Noelle Smith and Carly Jane Smith, Brother: Kenneth Ray Smith and Wife Linda Boatman Smith, Brothers-In-Law Donald B. Baker, Charles Coad Rich. Nephews: David Brian Baker, Kenneth Randall Smith, David Michael Rich. Nieces: Shelley Smith Amidon and Allison Rich. As well as many Cousins.
A Celebration of his life will be held on Saturday July 27th, 2024 at St Matthews Episcopal Church 8134 Mesa Drive Austin, TX 78759 followed by his ashes being interned into the Memorial Garden. A reception will follow with time to share his life with family and friends.
In lieu of flowers please give to St Matthews Endowment Fund and Memorial Garden Fund
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