William T. "Bill" Smith

NEW IBERIA – A Memorial Mass celebrating the life of William T. “Bill” Smith, 64, will be held at 11:00 am Saturday, January 21, 2017 at Nativity of Our Lady Catholic Church. Fr. Ed Degeyter will be the celebrant. Bill will be laid to rest in Nativity Mausoleum immediately after the mass. There will be no visitation prior to the mass.

Bill was born April 20, 1952 in New Iberia to the late Harold V. Smith and the late Mable Delahoussaye, and passed away after complications from surgery on Tuesday, January 10, 2017 at Iberia Medical Center.

Bill, as he was known by family and friends, proudly served in the Louisiana National Guard. He touched many lives through the different careers he held. He worked with the Department of Motor Vehicles for 13 years, and worked with the Daily Iberian as a photographer for over 20 years, capturing many memorable photographs in the Acadiana area. Most recently, Bill taught drivers education with First Turn Driving Academy. One of his favorite pastimes was barbequing for family and friends.

Bill will always be remembered as a man who was a friend to all and was loved dearly. May he rest in peace.

Survivors include his sisters and brothers, Sandra Upton, Raymond Smith and wife Carol, Marie Olson, Shelia Landry and husband Jay, Chad Smith and wife Karen; nieces and nephews, Stephanie Landry, Beau Landry, David Smith, Angela Theriot, Brent Smith, Courtney Smith and Kori Smith; great nieces, Victoria, Makayla and Alayna Theriot; great nephew, Kolby Smith; Del Richard, and Carli Richard and her companion Joseph Delahoussaye, whom he looked upon as his own children; Devon Richard and Jace Delahoussaye whom he thought of as his own grandchildren; and his loving and faithful dogs, Dieter and Oreo.

Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers-in-law, Willie Upton, William “Bill” Odea and Jim Olson.

The family would like to express their sincere gratitude and appreciation to David and Carmen White and Larry and Sheila Livingston for the friendship, love and care of our beloved brother Bill.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to assist with funeral expenses.

To view the online obituary and to share memories of Bill, please visit www.evangelinefuneralhome.com

Evangeline Funeral Home of New Iberia (337) 364-1881 is in charge of arrangements.