William was born on September 7, 1941, to Katherine and William Smith in Piqua, OH. After graduating high school, he went on to join the United States Air Force. It was at that time he met and fell in love with Diana. They were married on June 4, 1966, and moved to Minot AFB, North Dakota for William’s first military assignment with his family. He served 20 years in the Armed Forces Military Police with pride, including tours in Turkey and Korea. The discipline and patriotism he learned in the Air Force never left him.
After retiring MSGT USAF in 1981, he took his military experience and master’s degree to civilian life as an educator of criminal justice teaching at various institutions in Texas. He loved it and would end up teaching for 20 years until his retirement. His career included Columbia College, Tarrant County Junior College, University of Texas at Arlington, North Central Texas Council of Governments and Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission.
William and Diana would go on to raise 4 children in San Antonio, Texas. William taught all the kids to stand tall and be proud throughout the many accomplishments and difficulties of our lives. When William wasn't working, he could be found with running shoes on running rain or shine day or night. He was one of the most active and fit man as family and friends will attest. An avid singer all his life, William dedicated much of his time singing in the church choir and barbershop quartet. He was in his happy place performing around town with the Upscale and Goodtimes Chorus.
Bill's Barbershop life started at a new year’s eve party in 1983, at the new home on Dr. John and Judy Bennett. Bill heard the harmony of some of the other guests and was hooked. Within a few years Dick Kneeland, the Goodtimes Chorus Director ask Bill, Mat Wisbrock, Bryan Dunn, and Dan Ehrhorn to form a quartet for singing valentines. The result was over 25 years of singing and entertaining folks around the metroplex as Upscale Quartet. There is a bond between these guys that continues till today, and beyond.
William E. Smith, Jr., was preceded in death by his grandparents; his mother, Katherine and father, William; his son, William, III (Sparky); his brother, Larry (Lori); his sister, Marva Jones; and also, stepfather, William Cheeks.
He is survived by his wife, Diana; and his stepchildren, Maurice Belcher-bey, Rancho Cordova, CA, Andre Belcher-bey, Arlington, TX and Tanya Strozier, Seattle WA.
His loving memory will forever beat in the hearts of his family. His brothers, Harry Smith, Valdosta, GA, Philip (Laura), Cincinnati, OH, Charles, Toledo, OH, and Darnell Cheeks, Cincinnati, OH; his sisters, Sandra Smith, Toledo, OH, Jeanette Smith, Cincinnati, OH, Clarissa Cheeks, Toledo, OH, and Susan Wallace, Garland, TX; his Sister-in-law, Lori Smith, CA, and Sister-in-law, Jean Oliver, Southfield, MI; also, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and other relatives.
The family requests that donations be made to the Water From The Rock faith based non-profit providing services to those in need in Arlington, TX to enhance their ability to achieve self-sufficiency https://wftrarlington.org.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.moorebowenroad.com for the Smith, family.
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