William Fletcher Smith Obituary
With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of William Fletcher "Bill" Smith, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, who departed this life on November 22, 2024, at the age of 92. Bill passed away peacefully, surrounded by the love of his family, after a life well-lived and deeply cherished.
Born on January 14, 1932, in Pecos Texas, Bill was the second son of Hollis and Mollie Olean Smith. From a young age, his unwavering curiosity and determination set the foundation for a life of purpose and integrity. He attended Texas Western College (now UTEP) and graduated with a bachelor's degree in English and a master's degree in education. He embarked on a successful career in Education initially in the Ysleta Schools but was as drafted by the US Army in 1953 and served half his term at Fort Bliss and the balance in Germany near Kaiserslautern, rising to the rank of Corporal. Upon his return from Europe, he took a job with EL Paso Natural Gas Products Company and then Shell Oil when it acquired EL Paso. Shell transferred the family to Houston where he was employed by Shell until 1970. He left to open his Real Estate Brokerage Firm. In 1975 he joined the Spring ISD as a College and Careers teacher. He operated the real estate brokerage and worked for the school district for 22 years and retired in 1997. He was known for his expertise, mentorship, and unwavering work ethic. His retirement was actually a horizontal move. He and his brother David re-entered the cattle business like their father on the ranch in Reeves County north of Pecos.
Bill married the love of his life, Elizabeth Ann Kerr, on December 30, 1953, beginning a partnership built on love, laughter, and mutual respect. Together, they raised four children, Dubb, Paula, Wendi, and Brooks, teaching them the values of kindness, resilience, faith in God and the importance of family. As a grandfather, Bill was a source of wisdom, playful joy, and unconditional love, creating cherished memories for his children and grandchildren. After Ann's passing in 2000, Bill traveled between Pecos and Houston twice a month for several years checking fences and cattle. During that time he met Audre Schiller in the Methodist Church choir in Pecos. They kindled a relationship and were married on March 19, 2005, in Mineola, Texas. They moved to Spring and continued the ranching and travel routine and on one trip to Pecos purchased a small ranch in Nimrod, south of Cisco in order to be halfway between Dallas and Pecos. They became members of the Cisco Methodist Church and immersed themselves in this welcoming community.
A man of great passions, Bill loved Ranching, teaching Sunday School, singing in the choir, coaching his kids little league teams, fly fishing and Blue Quail. He was also deeply committed to his community of faith, The Methodist Church and a special cause, The Bowtie Boys . His warmth and generosity touched countless lives, and he will be remembered for his gentle humor and the ability to make everyone feel valued.
Bill is survived by his loving wife, Audre Schiller Smith; his children, WF Dubb Smith III, Paula Elizabeth McCord, Wendi Kerr Reeves, and Gailand Brooks Smith; Audre's Children, Natalie Cannan, Nick Pietruszka, and Karen Pietruszka, his paternal grandchildren Paige Smith Morgan, Kerbey Leigh Pittenger, Lindsey McCord, Hannah McCord, Colby McCord , Rachel Smith, Jacob Smith; step-grandchildren, Jared Anderson, Emily Anderson, Ashley Butler, Randy Pietruszka, Wesley Pietruszka, and Joseph Pietruszka-Abbott; nine step-great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Hollis Stobaugh Smith and Mollie Olean Rhodes Smith, his wife Ann Kerr Smith, His Brother David Allen Smith and his Sister in-laws Nancy Florence, Nita Smith, Betty Smith and niece Elizabeth Kerr, and his close friends Jimmy and Helen Renner.
A celebration of Bill's life will be held Monday, December 2, 2024 at 1:00 pm at the Cisco Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to The Bowtie Boys organization in Bill's honor, ensuring his legacy of compassion and care lives on.
Bill will be profoundly missed but forever remembered by those who had the privilege of knowing and loving him. May he rest in eternal peace.
