Smith, William

William “Bill” Winford Smith. Bill passed away at Sherman House Hospice of the Valley February 17, 2021 after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. He is survived by his son, Jason Smith of Chillicothe, Ohio; his companion, Kathleen Whitten Delong of Phoenix, Arizona; and favorite cousin, Wynette Dean of Lawrence, Mississippi; along with many other family and friends. He was born December 6, 1944 in Union, Mississipi to Winfield Smith spent his early years in Mississippi before his family settled in Ohio. Bill graduated from Unioto High School in the class of 1964. He had already enlisted in the Navy before graduation and left Chillicothe soon after graduation to serve on the USS Independence Aircraft Carrier as a signalman. When he returned to Ohio in late 1966 he found work at the VA Hospital, then worked at the Chillicothe Correctional Facility before taking a position as a Systems Programmer with the State of Ohio in Columbus, Ohio. Bill retired from the State of Ohio in 2006 after 37 years. He kept in touch with the many friends he made while there. Bill’s love of planes (he, at one time had a private pilot license), hiking, photography, WWII history and telling stories almost matched his love of his YELRSKY, his retirement gift to himself. Many fun trips and hours of “road trip” music were enjoyed in that little yellow Sky. His retirement years were full of new places, new food, a shot at becoming an aspiring actor, a new place to live and a new relationship. Kathy and Bill had graduated together and been neighbors, but only “got together” in 2008 after meeting up again while he was on one of his road trips. They shared lots of fun times and made many fond memories along the way. Thank you to everyone that said a prayer, sent positive thoughts and energy, sent cards and offered help over this past year. All were greatly appreciated. A very special “thank you” to Sherman House Hospice of the Valley and their staff for the gentle, loving care Bill received while there and for giving him his last day pain free. At Bill’s request there will be no service. A Celebration of Life will be planned at a later date in Ohio. In Bill’s words: “I have but flown over the horizon,