William "Bill" Howard Smith

William Howard (Bill) Smith passed away April 29, 2017, at home surrounded by his family, due to complications from leukemia. A Memorial Service will be held at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 505 N Pennsylvania Ave, Monday, May 8, 2017, at 2:00 PM, with The Rev Dale Plummer officiating. A tribute of William’s life may be found at www.andersonbethany.com where you may leave memories and expressions of sympathy for his family. Bill was born April 20, 1931, in Flint, Michigan, to Howard Travis Smith and Ivis Leona Christiansen. Bill moved to New Mexico as a young child and graduated from Roswell High School in 1949. He attended New Mexico State University and served in the Signal Corps of the US Army during the Korean War from 1951 to 1953. On March 4, 1955, he married the love of his life, Anita Davis. They recently celebrated 62 years of marriage. Bill worked for Mountain Bell and US West until his retirement in 1985 after 30 years of service. During his life, he worked on the original construction of Bitter Lakes Wildlife Refuge, coached his sons in Little League Baseball, served as Cub Scout Master and was a founding member of Sierra Volunteer Fire Department, serving 17 years and attaining the rank of Captain. Bill was a member of Jinglebob Telephone Pioneers, the Elks, St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church and Pecos Valley Woodcarvers Association. As an avid outdoorsman, he enjoyed camping, fishing and hunting with his family. Other hobbies included: wood carving, raising pecans, horses and livestock, and playing with grandchildren and great grandchildren. He is survived by his wife, Anita; daughter, Sheryl Gajewsky (Michael) and their children, Sean Gajewsky (Tarrah) and Matthew Gajewsky (Heather) all of Longview, TX; son, David Smith (Diana) of Eldorado, TX, and their children, John Smith (Stacy), Louis Massey, Amy Carroll (Chris), Darren Thunehorst and Houston Smith (Amanda); son, Gary Smith (Enid) of Roswell, NM, and their children, Amos Smith (Brecque) and Wyatt Smith (Alisha); 14 great-grandchildren; 4 great-great-grandchildren; sister, Ilene Boyd (Bernard) of Reseda, CA; and faithful dog, Sassy. He was preceded in death by his parents; step father, Robert Pratt; and half-brother, Leon Smith. In lieu of flowers, Bill can be remembered by memorials to St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church. This tribute was written in honor of Bill by his family.

William "Bill" Howard Smith

April 20, 1931 - April 29, 2017