Former Sitkan Bill Smith Dies at 53 in New York

Details

Category: Obituaries

Created on Monday, 16 December 2024 14:16

Hits: 714

William “Bill” Louis Smith III

William “Bill” Louis Smith III, a beloved figure hailing from Cortland, N.Y., formerly of Aberdeen, Md., and Sitka, passed away suddenly and, as one might hope for, without pain on Dec. 6, in Cortland. He was 53.
He leaves behind a tapestry of love woven by his partner Alexia Van Treese and her spirited and creative daughter, Isabella “Izzy” Crowe, of Cortland. He is also survived by his mother, Sharron Lunas of Dover, Pa., and children William L. “Bones” IV and his wife Holly Smith of Cortland, Bryan A. “Tony” and his wife Sara Smith of Hagerstown, Md., and Benjamin N. and his wife Kimmie Smith of Harpers Ferry, W.V.
His four siblings and their partners are Aprille Lynne and Steve Alderson of Florida, Edna Leverne and William Johnson of Dover, Pa., Colin and Lynn (Davis) Lunas of Sitka, and Philip Lunas and Melissa Wileman of Sitka. Bill’s legacy is further brightened by his two grandchildren, Hazel Grace Smith of Cortland, and James Harrison Smith of Hagerstown, Md. To add to this delightful mix are three nephews, Ronnie Bowman Jr. “RJ” of Houston, Texas, Cody Johnson of Bel Air, Md., and Ethan and Julia Lunas of Knoxville, Tenn. And let’s not forget his four nieces, Christina and Benjamin Patterson of Greensboro, N.C., Tanya Bowman of Towson, Md., Jacelyn and Scott Beach of York, Pa., and Morgan “Morgz” Grace Lunas of Punta Gorda, Fla., along with six grandnieces and grandnephews, each of whom is undoubtedly a reminder of life’s joy.
Bill’s absence will be felt most acutely by those who knew him well.
He was predeceased by his father, William Louis Smith Jr. of Aberdeen, Md., his adopted father, John Paul Lunas, M.D. of Dover, Pa., and his uncle, Stephen Handshumacher of Port Orchard, Wash.
Born at Harford Memorial Hospital in Havre de Grace, Md., on Dec. 22, 1970, Bill lived in Sitka from 1983 until 1990.
He had a curious mind and was an achiever. He earned his B.S. in chemistry from SUNY Cortland in 1995, followed by an M.S. in chemistry from Syracuse University in 1999. He didn’t stop there, adding an M.S. in nursing science from SUNY Downstate Medical Center College of Medicine in 2013, and ultimately gaining nurse practitioner certification through the AANPCP.
From an early age, Bill had an unquenchable thirst for knowledge and a love for all sports.  He battled his brothers for TV time to watch ABC’s Wide World of Sports, MLB, and the NFL, preceding the rise of cable TV. Foreshadowing his passion for fast cars, his first automotive love was a 1970 Pontiac GTO, a car that might have been better suited for a cinematic character than parked at his house.
He was known for his intelligence, a delightfully irreverent sense of humor, and a talent for building computers and brewing his own beer. His interests were as varied as they were profound; one could engage him on many subjects and be awed by the depth of his understanding, even if he rarely showcased it until the moment called for it.
In his later years, Bill found joy in woodworking, currently transforming his garage into a workshop—an endeavor that surely came with its fair share of stubborn determination, reminiscent of his biological father, affectionately known as “Smitty.”
In a world that often feels chaotic, Bill Smith was a reliable presence, a man of depth, intelligence, and untamed humor who will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him.

• < Prev
• Next >