Bill Gordon Smith, 81, of Huntsville passed away on July 26. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, his three children and seven grandchildren.
Born in Dunlap, TN, to Mary A. Smith and Gordon W. Smith, Bill graduated from Central High School in Chattanooga in 1956 and from Tennessee Tech in 1960. He served as First Lieutenant in the U.S. Army then moved to Huntsville in 1962 to work with the space program.
Bill was a civic leader and served in the Alabama State Legislature for 20 years. He was involved in numerous civic organizations, including the Huntsville Jaycees, where he was elected internal vice president, and the Huntsville Rotary Club. He was also instrumental in helping to obtain funding for the Space and Rocket Center and served on its board. He was a longtime member of Huntsville First United Methodist Church where he also served on the Board.
n 1974, Bill was elected to the Alabama State House of Representatives, where he served for four years. In 1978, he was elected to the Alabama State Senate, and served for 16 years. Bill always looked after the contingency he served and never faltered to do what he thought was best, even if it meant going up against some of the most powerful politicians in the country. He was pivotal in several key pieces of legislation and played a critical role in bringing the Super Computer to Huntsville, which brought technology related industries to North Alabama. Bill’s efforts in the legislature helped block a dog track from being built in the Huntsville community, something he strongly opposed.
Bill had many business ventures including multiple tech startups, the formation of Bank Alabama, a nursing home, and a fiberglass company. An innovator throughout his entire life, Bill was always staying up to date on the latest technologies like Block Chain and Artificial Intelligence and was eager to share with those around him.
Bill was a dear friend to many and cherished his friendships. He enjoyed hiking the National Parks with his beloved wife, Betty. He loved exploring the trails and the scenery of the Great Smoky Mountains, which were his favorite. An avid Alabama football fan and a season ticket holder since the 1970s, Bill attended 8 of Alabama’s national championship games.
Above all else, Bill loved his family. He and Betty were happily married for 59 years, setting an example for his children and grandchildren. Bill was always excited to hear updates on his family and would always be there to listen, support, and lend a hand if needed. Bill would tell everyone he met that his family was the very best. His family felt the same way about him. He will be greatly missed.
A graveside service will be held at 10:00 am, Wednesday, July 29th at Maple Hill Cemetery.
published at www.laughlinservice.com
Born in Dunlap, TN, to Mary A. Smith and Gordon W. Smith, Bill graduated from Central High School in Chattanooga in 1956 and from Tennessee Tech in 1960. He served as First Lieutenant in the U.S. Army then moved to Huntsville in 1962 to work with the space program.
Bill was a civic leader and served in the Alabama State Legislature for 20 years. He was involved in numerous civic organizations, including the Huntsville Jaycees, where he was elected internal vice president, and the Huntsville Rotary Club. He was also instrumental in helping to obtain funding for the Space and Rocket Center and served on its board. He was a longtime member of Huntsville First United Methodist Church where he also served on the Board.
n 1974, Bill was elected to the Alabama State House of Representatives, where he served for four years. In 1978, he was elected to the Alabama State Senate, and served for 16 years. Bill always looked after the contingency he served and never faltered to do what he thought was best, even if it meant going up against some of the most powerful politicians in the country. He was pivotal in several key pieces of legislation and played a critical role in bringing the Super Computer to Huntsville, which brought technology related industries to North Alabama. Bill’s efforts in the legislature helped block a dog track from being built in the Huntsville community, something he strongly opposed.
Bill had many business ventures including multiple tech startups, the formation of Bank Alabama, a nursing home, and a fiberglass company. An innovator throughout his entire life, Bill was always staying up to date on the latest technologies like Block Chain and Artificial Intelligence and was eager to share with those around him.
Bill was a dear friend to many and cherished his friendships. He enjoyed hiking the National Parks with his beloved wife, Betty. He loved exploring the trails and the scenery of the Great Smoky Mountains, which were his favorite. An avid Alabama football fan and a season ticket holder since the 1970s, Bill attended 8 of Alabama’s national championship games.
Above all else, Bill loved his family. He and Betty were happily married for 59 years, setting an example for his children and grandchildren. Bill was always excited to hear updates on his family and would always be there to listen, support, and lend a hand if needed. Bill would tell everyone he met that his family was the very best. His family felt the same way about him. He will be greatly missed.
A graveside service will be held at 10:00 am, Wednesday, July 29th at Maple Hill Cemetery.
published at www.laughlinservice.com
Bill Gordon Smith, 81, of Huntsville passed away on July 26. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, his three children and seven grandchildren.
Born in Dunlap, TN, to Mary A. Smith and Gordon W. Smith, Bill graduated from Central High School in Chattanooga in 1956 and from Tennessee Tech in 1960. He served as First Lieutenant in the U.S. Army then moved to Huntsville in 1962 to work with the space program.
Bill was a civic leader and served in the Alabama State Legislature for 20 years. He was involved in numerous civic organizations, including the Huntsville Jaycees, where he was elected internal vice president, and the Huntsville Rotary Club. He was also instrumental in helping to obtain funding for the Space and Rocket Center and served on its board. He was a longtime member of Huntsville First United Methodist Church where he also served on the Board.
n 1974, Bill was elected to the Alabama State House of Representatives, where he served for four years. In 1978, he was elected to the Alabama State Senate, and served for 16 years. Bill always looked after the contingency he served and never faltered to do what he thought was best, even if it meant going up against some of the most powerful politicians in the country. He was pivotal in several key pieces of legislation and played a critical role in bringing the Super Computer to Huntsville, which brought technology related industries to North Alabama. Bill’s efforts in the legislature helped block a dog track from being built in the Huntsville community, something he strongly opposed.
Bill had many business ventures including multiple tech startups, the formation of Bank Alabama, a nursing home, and a fiberglass company. An innovator throughout his entire life, Bill was always staying up to date on the latest technologies like Block Chain and Artificial Intelligence and was eager to share with those around him.
Bill was a dear friend to many and cherished his friendships. He enjoyed hiking the National Parks with his beloved wife, Betty. He loved exploring the trails and the scenery of the Great Smoky Mountains, which were his favorite. An avid Alabama football fan and a season ticket holder since the 1970s, Bill attended 8 of Alabama’s national championship games.
Above all else, Bill loved his family. He and Betty were happily married for 59 years, setting an example for his children and grandchildren. Bill was always excited to hear updates on his family and would always be there to listen, support, and lend a hand if needed. Bill would tell everyone he met that his family was the very best. His family felt the same way about him. He will be greatly missed.
A graveside service will be held at 10:00 am, Wednesday, July 29th at Maple Hill Cemetery.
published at www.laughlinservice.com
Born in Dunlap, TN, to Mary A. Smith and Gordon W. Smith, Bill graduated from Central High School in Chattanooga in 1956 and from Tennessee Tech in 1960. He served as First Lieutenant in the U.S. Army then moved to Huntsville in 1962 to work with the space program.
Bill was a civic leader and served in the Alabama State Legislature for 20 years. He was involved in numerous civic organizations, including the Huntsville Jaycees, where he was elected internal vice president, and the Huntsville Rotary Club. He was also instrumental in helping to obtain funding for the Space and Rocket Center and served on its board. He was a longtime member of Huntsville First United Methodist Church where he also served on the Board.
n 1974, Bill was elected to the Alabama State House of Representatives, where he served for four years. In 1978, he was elected to the Alabama State Senate, and served for 16 years. Bill always looked after the contingency he served and never faltered to do what he thought was best, even if it meant going up against some of the most powerful politicians in the country. He was pivotal in several key pieces of legislation and played a critical role in bringing the Super Computer to Huntsville, which brought technology related industries to North Alabama. Bill’s efforts in the legislature helped block a dog track from being built in the Huntsville community, something he strongly opposed.
Bill had many business ventures including multiple tech startups, the formation of Bank Alabama, a nursing home, and a fiberglass company. An innovator throughout his entire life, Bill was always staying up to date on the latest technologies like Block Chain and Artificial Intelligence and was eager to share with those around him.
Bill was a dear friend to many and cherished his friendships. He enjoyed hiking the National Parks with his beloved wife, Betty. He loved exploring the trails and the scenery of the Great Smoky Mountains, which were his favorite. An avid Alabama football fan and a season ticket holder since the 1970s, Bill attended 8 of Alabama’s national championship games.
Above all else, Bill loved his family. He and Betty were happily married for 59 years, setting an example for his children and grandchildren. Bill was always excited to hear updates on his family and would always be there to listen, support, and lend a hand if needed. Bill would tell everyone he met that his family was the very best. His family felt the same way about him. He will be greatly missed.
A graveside service will be held at 10:00 am, Wednesday, July 29th at Maple Hill Cemetery.
published at www.laughlinservice.com
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