William L. Smith

Sorrow is married with rejoicing as we announce the homegoing of William L. Smith. On Monday, January 31, 2022, as they were returning home from a family funeral, Bill’s life of 80 years ended tragically, along with his wife of 22 years, Antoinette “Toni” Voorting Smith and step-daughter April Howard, when a vehicle crossed over into their lane resulting in a head-on collision. This catastrophic loss of life is beyond comprehension for those who loved them and they will be woefully missed.

Born in Tallahassee’s historic neighborhood, South City, Bill attended South City Elementary School, Cobb Middle School, and Leon High School. He was also the Capital City Park Championship Little League Coach from 1965-1974. Southside Baptist Church on Laura Lee Avenue encapsulated some of the best times of his life. He loved Brother Robert Taylor and set him as the standard to which he would forever compare every other preacher. As youth pastor, he deeply loved each one of those kids and did so until his last breath.

Bill was a man of honesty, integrity, and honorable character. Once, a college professor threatened to fail him unless he changed his position on a paper to reflect the professor’s position. Bill stated without hesitation, “Sir, my principles are not for sale.” Principles intact, Bill graduated from Florida State University with a Bachelor of Science in Social Studies Education. He was truly a teacher at heart. In 2006, Bill retired from the State of Florida after 44 years of untarnished service. He especially loved to spend time with family, travel, garden, sing, and eat fried seafood. He was passionate about those FSU football glory days with Bobby Bowden at the helm.

His life was a testament to God’s faithfulness and a proper tribute to Bill would not be complete without bringing attention to the glory and goodness of His Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Bill was a person of deep and abiding faith who truly loved God with all his heart, soul, mind, and strength. He loved hearing a strong word from the pulpit and singing the old hymns of days gone by. Bill not only loved the Word of God, he KNEW the Word of God, and it was written on the tablet of his heart as if by the finger of God.

Although quiet by nature, Bill enjoyed being in the presence of outgoing people and oh, how he loved to hear a good story! Reminiscing was his favorite pastime. Even though he did not relish being the center of attention, Bill would occasionally tell a story of his own leaving everyone wanting more. His memory was a steel vault with details, dates, names, and places. Bill’s stories were mesmerizing and there was always a new ‘old’ one to tell.

As a thoughtful man, he favored the written word over the spoken word. Bill had a beautiful and artistic free-form handwriting long, long before the use of “fonts” became fashionable. At the beginning of every new year, Bill would make a trip to the card store and personally select a birthday card and a Christmas card for everyone on his list. He was highly gifted at articulating his sentimental heart with pen and ink.

Bill was a devoted father to three daughters and he sacrificed dearly for his family. He faithfully and consistently chose to go without so that his family need not. His suits were old and outdated and his shirts were worn thin. We will never fully know the extent to which he denied himself. He methodically managed a small salary and maintained a tight budget. He kept meticulous bookkeeping records using a yellow legal pad of paper to carefully track every penny earned and every penny spent. He certainly knew how to stretch a dollar. His family always lived within their means but due to his penny-pinching abilities, it seemed they were living large. Not only did he manage to provide his daughters with a Christian education, he occasionally splurged in dinners at The Oaks Restaurant in Panacea, FL, trips to the Tennessee mountains with Gatlinburg being a favorite destination, and many of the things that make young girls feel pretty. Bill never complained nor begrudged his choice to provide for his family in ways that were important to him.

In Bill’s own words, “My greatest accomplishment in life was my three daughters. They are the best daughters a man could ever hope to have. By God’s grace through faith, their names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life as are the names of my grandchildren.” The legacy of Bill’s faith continues on in the hearts of their families and his ten grandchildren.

Bill was fiercely loved and cherished by his daughters and their families: Cyndi & Steve DesRochers and their children, Carter and Cameron; Kim & David Daniel and their children, Simon, Rowan, Jasper, Jase, Josh, Jaseph, and Honesty; Lori & Brian Parker and their son Evan William. He was also loved and respected by the mother of his children, Kathy Connell with whom he remained friends.

Bill is also survived by his brother, Jerry and wife, Linda; brother, Bob and wife, Marilee; brother, Randall Smith; and sister, Betty Jo Smith. Preceding him in death are his parents, Albert B. and Mae Smith; his brothers, Ronnie and Terry Smith; his sister, Dorothy Williamson; and his niece, Bobbi Brooks Scott.

Bill was also deeply loved by his wife’s family: daughter, Donna May and husband, Marc; daughter, Shirley Lamb and husband, Bill & Larry Goldin; daughter, April’s husband, Bud Howard; brother, Bert Voorting and wife, Janna; sister, Mary Ann Trott and husband, Tim; grandchildren, Blake Goldin, Shawn Green, and Caleb Brannon; and great-grandchildren, Liam Green, and Kaelyn Brannon.

Visitation: Monday | February 7, 2022 | 4:00pm to 6:00pm

Culley’s MeadowWood Funeral Home | 700 Timberlane Road | Tallahassee, FL

Funeral Service: Tuesday | February 8, 2022 | 11:00am

Gospel Light Baptist Church | 3415 Apalachee Parkway | Tallahassee, FL

Graveside Service to Follow: Tallahassee Memory Gardens | 4037 North Monroe Street | Tallahassee, FL