Obituary

William walter smith of charleston, west virginia passed away at home on sunday, september 27, 2015.  he was born on january 22, 1941, the son of froud ward and alva ruth kingery smith.
 
he grew up in the east end of charleston where he attended roosevelt junior high school and charleston high school.  he was a varsity standout in both football and baseball while at charleston high school.  in 1957, he rushed for three touchdowns to defeat arch-rival stonewall jackson and returned the wooden bucket to the mountain lions. 
 
he graduated from west virginia university where he was a member of the phi sigma kappa fraternity and lettered as a baseball player.  he was known for his bunting and speed both at the plate and in the outfield.  as a life-long mountaineer, one of the highlights of his baseball career was making the game winning play in a victory over the pitt panthers.  his teammates considered him to be a great team player, but an even better friend.  more recently, he had the honor of throwing out the opening pitch for one of the first games in west virginia university’s new baseball stadium. 
 
he attended the west virginia university college of law where he was a member of the law review.  after graduation, he honored his commitment to his country and served 13 months overseas as a captain in the united states marine corps during the vietnam conflict.
 
after serving in the marines, he returned to charleston and worked for the law firm of payne, minor, price and loeb for eight years until he began a solo law practice in 1976.  his practice thrived for 38 years.  he served as an administrative law judge for the west virginia department of employment security for 25 years, and he proudly served as a member of the west virginia state bar for 50 years.
 
during the time he practiced law, he also had several business interests including owning gas stations, a restaurant, and smith sawmill and equipment company, a company founded by his father. 
 
he was a member of the charleston lions club and beni kedem shrine.  he was also a member of edgewood county club where he served on the board of directors and enjoyed eating dinner with friends and family, working out, and playing golf.  despite having the shortest (and fastest) backswing around, he managed to score a hole in one on a trip with his friends to myrtle beach, south carolina.
 
he was a member of first presbyterian church.  previously, while a member of village chapel presbyterian church, he served as an elder, clerk of session, and youth advisor. 
 
he passed his love of sports onto his children while coaching their church basketball, little league, and pony league teams.
 
he deeply loved his family and his many friends.  he cherished his frequent travels with his wife ann, and they rarely returned from an adventure without new  “life-long” friends.  his home away from home was his retreat in the mountains of north carolina where he spent time with loved ones. 
 
to know bill was to love him.  his family and friends will miss his contagious smile, the twinkle in his eyes, and his ever-present sense of humor.  he found the good in every situation and came through life’s challenges with stronger commitments to his family, his friends, and his faith.
 
he is survived by the love of his life, his wife ann; three sons, geoffrey william smith and wife margaret of chattanooga, tennessee, rodney arthur smith and wife lisa, and christopher bryan smith and wife lisa; his sister carolyn and husband bob tweedy; one step-daughter, kymberly ann and husband michael rink of hickory, north carolina; eight grandchildren, carter, reade, maggie, lucy, william, christopher, allison, and conner; sister-in-law linda austin lutz of hickory, north carolina; three step-grandchildren, ethan hamby of raleigh, north carolina, preston hamby of charlotte, north carolina, and malana pauig of charlotte, north carolina.  he was preceded in death by his parents and his step-son, matthew william moser.
 
in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the children’s home society of west virginia, 1422 kanawha blvd. East, charleston, wv  25301, an organization that he represented and supported for several decades.  www.Childhswv.Org
 
memorial service will be conducted at 11:00 a.M. On thursday, october 1, at first presbyterian church, charleston with rev. Dr. William g. Mccoy officiating.     
 
the family will receive at barlow-bonsall funeral home on wednesday, september 30 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.M.