William McKinley Smiley Jr.

On December 5th, Professor William M. Smiley, Jr., passed away peacefully after having lived a life filled with grace, courage and love for his faith, family and friends. He was born in Arcadia, Florida on Sept. 28, 1935 to Louise R. Alexander Smiley and W. McKinley Smiley. He received degrees from Duke University (BA), Emory University College of Law (J.D.), University of Miami (L.L.M., with a Specialty in International Law) and he served as Chair of visiting Scholars at Yale Law School in 1974. He was instrumental in founding Yale Medical School’s first course of Law and Medicine (Dean Berliner M.D.)

Mickey was a senior faculty member of Stetson University College of Law for over 40 years and retired in 2005. He founded the Stetson Society of Trial Advocacy in 1970 and through his dedication and coaching, helped Stetson to gain the recognition it had deserved; (Outstanding Trial Lawyer’s School in America – U.S. News and World Report) After having survived Melanoma and Sarcoma at the age of 28, he shared his medical miracle of healing through prayer and faith with Oprah in 1985 and touched the hearts of many with his “Formula for Life,” circulated by United Press International around the world 7 times in 52 countries. His motto: “If you truly want to be happy in life then devote yourself to the realization of someone else’s dream.” After having mentored his two daughters through Law School, he continued to devote his life to helping thousands of others to have significant and meaningful careers as lawyers. He was inspiring and intensely passionate for whatever aspect of law he was teaching and still yet, enriching the subject matter even more through practical knowledge. He believed that a great teacher doesn’t just teach from a book but enriches a student’s life by exposing them to “real life” experiences and knowledge. Mickey was recognized extensively for his outstanding work over his long career... The Association of Trial Lawyers of America honored Professor Smiley for “Outstanding Contributions to the Art of Trial Advocacy,” the Southern Trial Lawyers Association created the Professor W. McKinley Smiley Jr. Lighthouse Award which annually recognized the “America’s Most Outstanding lawyer in the field of Academics, Legal Scholarship, Advocacy Teaching and Training.” In 1999, the Young Lawyers Section of the Florida Justice Association created the McKinley Smiley Award for the purpose of recognizing the Trial Lawyer who has “done the most to help Young Lawyers.” The Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers honored him with the Perry Nichols Award, the highest honor the Academy bestows.“Mickey my friend, mentor and comrade in arms for 46 years. He was a true champion of the wrongfully injured victims of the world. Morituri te Salutamus” (Christian D. Searcy, Esq.) “Mickey was dedicated to achieving the improbable” (Emory Law School roommate-former US Senator Sam Nunn) “He will be remembered most – at least by many of us – for being one of the most extraordinary “characters” in the history of the trial bar due to his creativity and imagination and his abilities as a majestic and mesmerizing storyteller.” (John Romano, Esq.) He is survived by his 2 daughters, Kathy Smiley Jacob (Bruce) Annapolis, Maryland and Kristine Smiley Johnson (Scott) Palm Beach, Florida, 5 grandchildren, Kristy & Alex and Stewart, Seaton & Griffin who he showed an amazing love and affection for and will continue to guide them from above.“The characteristic of a great man is his power to leave a lasting impression on people he meets.” Thank you, for sharing your knowledge, wisdom and love of Life with us. Your character is amazing, you have truly been a great role model, always setting the bar high and you have left us with a precious legacy and a generational blessing that is priceless. We love you, Dad, Papa Mick, Professor Smiley, mentor and friend, you will be greatly missed! Psalm 118:24 “This is the Day the Lord hath made let us rejoice and be Glad in it.”

A private family service was held in West Palm Beach this weekend and a Celebration of his Life will follow in the New Year. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in memory of W. McKinley “Mickey” Smiley, Jr. to Hospice of the Chesapeake Foundation, John and Cathy Belcher Campus, 90 Ritchie Highway, Pasadena, MD 21122 or at www.hospicechesapeake.org.