Bill Smith

Our son, husband, father, brother and papa: William Lindley Smith passed quietly at home with family at his side. He fought a short but courageous fight with esophageal cancer.

Bill was born Aug. 19, 1947 in Tulsa, OK to Bill and Alice Smith. He grew up in Tulsa and his high school class at Memorial was the first class to go thru fresh – senior years at Memorial.

After graduating in 1965, Bill immediately joined the Navy. He was chosen for the submarine service. While stationed in Charleston, SC, he met Anne Styron on a blind date and they married Aug. 2, 1969.

From their marriage, they had two children – William Lindley Smith, Jr. (BJ) and Hugh Ryan Smith (Ryan).

In 1973, they returned to OK. He went one year to Will Rogers Community College, where he chose a career in Petroleum Engineering. He transferred to Tulsa University to get his degree. While there, he worked part time for Cities Service Oil Co. He continued working with them during their many changes starting in Mississippi, then Oklahoma City, West Virginia, Oklahoma City again and Liberal, KS. He worked a total of 23 years with the company.

While in Liberal, he went into insurance and later owned his own insurance office.

Bills’ love for the oil and gas industry drew him back into petroleum engineering and the Oklahoma City area, where he found a job as a Petroleum Engineer and Operations Manager with GLB Exploration, Inc.

He was a Webelos Leader, Scout Leader, Scout Master, member of the Santa Fe Trail District Committee. He was a Wood Badge instructor and taught classes to Scout Leaders. He was presented the distinguished Silver Beaver award for his dedication to scouting. After 25 years of scouting service he retired from active participation. In July Bill, dressed in his full scouting uniform to be present at his oldest grandson’s (Noah) Eagle ceremony. What a proud celebration!

Bill was a man strong in his faith. He was a member of Woodland Hills Baptist Church of Newcastle were he shared his faith by being a Sunday school teacher, serving as a deacon plus participating on several committees to promote the new education wing that is being built at this time.

Bill is survived by his wife Anne (48 years) his mother Alice Puckett, son BJ Smith of Shawnee, KS and wife Casey, grandkids Noah and Molly, son Ryan Smith of Gardner, KS and wife Angela, grandkids Sydney and Logan and sister Pat Stello of Ruther Glenn, Virginia who gave him nieces, nephews and a great niece.

The family will hold a memorial service on Saturday, October 7th at 11:00 for William Lindley Smith at Woodland Hills Baptist Church, Newcastle. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Eisenhour Funeral Home of Blanchard. Online obituary and guestbook are available at www.eisenhourfh.com.

In lieu of flowers please consider donating to the Woodland Hills Baptist Church building fund.