William "Bill" Newell Smith

William Newell “Bill” Smith, age 75, of Grants Pass, died Tuesday, November 4, 2014 at his home.

Bill was born in 1939 in Rochester, New York. Bill grew up in Rochester with his two sisters Sue and Nancy and parents Robert and Vema Smith. From a very young age, he loved the great outdoors and was often found playing baseball, hiking, and ice skating or swimming in Sharps pond.

In 1957, he graduated from Brighton High School where he played varsity football, baseball, and sang solo in the senior operetta, “The Pirates of Penzance”. From 1957 to 1958 he attended Clarkson College in Potsdam, New York; 1961 to 1963 he attended San Bernardino Valley Junior College where he received his Associate of Arts Degree and from 1964 to 1966 he attended California State College in Los Angeles, graduating with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mathematics.

Bill served in the United States Army from 1958 to 1961. He began his basic training at Fort Dix, New Jersey. He was a Personnel Administrative Specialist from 1958 to 1959 in Niagara, New York and continued from 1959 to 1961 at Scott Air Force Base, Belleville, Illinois (Nike Missile Base Headquarters). Bill represented 600 United States Army enlisted men at monthly meetings of St. Louis USO Club, where he coordinated activities at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois Club.

On November 26, 1964 Bill and Kathleen Ramsey were married in Colton, California. From 1966 to 1974 Bill was a computer programmer at Lockheed Aircraft Corporation in Ontario, California. Bill and Katie had two daughters born in Upland, California during this time; Carrie and Julie. The Smith family moved to Grants Pass, Oregon in 1974 and built their own home. Bill started work as an apprentice glazier and bought Valley Auto Glass, which he and Katie later expanded to Art Glass Studio, a stained glass gift shop and teaching studio. They also did commissioned work for galleries, churches and private homes. In January, 2005, Katie and Bill sold their art glass business and retired.

Bill was always active in music throughout his life. He sang in choirs throughout his school years; organized and directed the Scott Teen Choir while in the military at Scott Air Force Base from 1959 to 1961; was a member of the Riverside Opera Association form 1961 to 1963 and sang in the chorus of several operas. Bill directed the choirs at both Upland Presbyterian Church from 1968 to 1969 and at Bethany Presbyterian Church in Grants Pass from 1993 to 2003. He also sang in a Barbershop Chorus and Barbershop Quartet from 1990 to 1995 and sang in the Rogue Music Theatre for six summers in the 1970’s.

In his spare time, Bill enjoyed computers, gardening, researching genealogy, making toys for the grandchildren in his workshop, building model train configurations and spending time with his grandchildren. His model railroad configuration was donated to the Rogue Valley Model Railroad Club in Medford. He also donated considerable time at the Family History Center in 2011 to 2012 after publishing three books of his own family genealogy.

Growing up, Bill was an active member in Boy Scouts and Explorer Scouts, earning the Star Award in 1954. He was also a Boy Scout Leader of a Troop of thirty boys while in the Military at Fort Niagara, New York; was a member of the Alpha Gamma Sigma Honor Scholarship Society, College Choir, Madrigal Ensemble and Men’s Glee Club.

Survivors include his wife, Kathleen “Katie” Smith of Grants Pass; two daughters, Carrie Juchau of Davis, California and Julie Pen of Portland, Oregon; grandchildren, Nicholas and Emma Juchau, both of Davis, California and Katherine, Jonathan “JJ”, and GraceLyn Pen all of Portland, Oregon. Both Nicholas Juchau and Katherine Pen are attending college at George Fox University in Newberg, Oregon. Also surviving are his two sisters, Sue Kline of Williamson, New York and Nancy Cole of Pittsford, New York. Preceding him in death were his parents Robert & Vema Smith.

Private family services will be held at a later time still yet to be determined.

The family thanks everyone for their support and love through these last few months. In Lieu of sending flowers, the family has requested donations be mailed to Lovejoy Hospice at 939 SE 8thStreet, Grants Pass, Oregon 97526, whom provided continued support and care of Bill and Katie Smith during his last weeks. Please note in the memo section of your check, “In memory of Bill Smith”.

All those who were touched by Bill Smith’s life are invited to sign the family Tribute Wall at www.since1928hull.com.