William (Bill) Bernard Smith, Jr., 81, Neosho, died May 26, 2016 at his home.
He was born August 20, 1934 in Worcester, Massachusetts to William and Agnes (Fahlin) Smith, Sr. Bill graduated from Worcester Academy in 1953 and joined the U.S. Army. Posted to Korea in 1955, 17th Infantry Regiment, 7th Division, he was Honorably Discharged on his 20th birthday after serving three years. He graduated from Worcester Junior College in 1958 and was hired by the Central Intelligence Agency in October of 1958. His first mission, the Tibetan Project, is recounted in several books. He was presented with the Certificate of Exceptional Service for Effective Performance Under Conditions of Hazard or Hardship by CIA Director Richard Helms on September 2, 1969 for mission related to the Vietnam War. Retiring in 1980, he returned and worked until 1991, making a total of 36 years of public service. Bill retired first to Florida to pursue boating, then Pennsylvania to restore antiques, then Maine where he drove Cherryfield’s ambulance, then back to Bedford, Pennsylvania married to Judy. They returned to Neosho in 2008, restored their historic home on Spring Hill and spent summers in Vermont.
Bill is survived by his wife, Judith Haas Smith, married on June 22, 2002 in Neosho. He is also survived by his former wife, Sarah Clay McGaughy Williams and their sons, Erik William Smith and Joshua Brandon Smith, and grandchildren, Konrad William Smith, Tristan Toshi Smith and Madison Miyeko Smith. Bill cared for Bob Buwalda’s children, Amy and Rebecca and grandchildren, Lucy, Zoe, Amanda and Meredith.
Services are under the direction of Clark Funeral Home, Neosho, MO.
No comments:
Post a Comment