William Howard Smith (1933-2017)

SMITH, WILHELM, SHIPMAN, RUPPEL, SMITH

Posted By: Mark Christian
Date: 7/3/2017 at 11:13:22

Obituary from Baca's Funeral Chapels, Las Cruces, New Mexico.

William Howard Smith
Born: February 16, 1933
Died: June 4, 2017

WILLIAM “BILL” H. SMITH, devoted husband, beloved father, grandfather and great grandfather passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 4, 2017 at the La Posada - Mesilla Valley Hospice.

Bill as he was fondly known to his family and friends was born on February 16, 1933 in Bartlesville, Oklahoma and graduated from Dowling High School in Des Moines, Iowa in 1951. Following graduation, Bill entered the US Army and served at Fort Benning. He was honorably discharged as a Sergeant First Class in 1955. On February 22, 1955 he married his high school sweetheart, Marlene Wilhelm.

Bill attended Iowa State University on the GI Bill, and received a degree in Scientific Journalism. He then began what was to be a varied and successful career in communications, starting at the Fort Dodge Messenger as a photographic journalist, then as a Medical Sales Representative at Saunders Publishing in St. Louis, Missouri. Bill and Marlene eventually returned to Ames, Iowa where he pursued graduate studies and began work for the National Atomic Energy Laboratory as Public Information Officer and editor.

While at Iowa State, the family moved to a small farm outside of Ames. Many fond memories were made as Bill played the role of gentleman farmer, who could always be counted on to help with livestock or a harvest. Bill also reluctantly, but good naturedly, indulged his wife and children with a menagerie of animals during their years on the acreage.

In 1979, Bill accepted a position as Scientific Editor at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), an agricultural research institute in Los Banos, Laguna, Philippines. He enjoyed a great deal of personal and professional fulfillment during his years at the IRRI.

After retiring from IRRI in 1991, Bill and Marlene settled in Las Cruces, New Mexico where they built friendships with neighbors and the Doña Ana Peppers RV Group. They also enjoyed many visits by friends and family from near and far.

In retirement, Bill volunteered for the Humane Society of Southern New Mexico, and continued to answer the help line as recently as last week. No doubt the many beloved pets that he and Marlene rescued over the years were his inspiration and motivation for always caring for those creatures who were least able to care for themselves.

Bill was a dedicated member of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church and served as a reader and Eucharistic Minister.

He is survived by his wife of sixty-two years, Marlene, five children: Stephen of St. Ignatius, Montana, David and wife Shirley of Mingo, Iowa, Meric Shipman of Springfield, Illinois, Stacie and husband Gary of Des Moines, Iowa, and Lisa and husband Jeff Ruppel of Dubuque, Iowa; a sister, Amelia Smith of Tulsa, Oklahoma. Other survivors include eight grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. Bill is also survived by close family friends, Dr. La Rue Pollard and Nancy Smith. He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother Robert, an infant brother, Charles, and a grandson Samuel.

The family wishes to thank the many caregivers at the Infusion Center at Memorial Medical Center and Mesilla Valley Hospice for their kindness, care and dedication to both Bill and Marlene throughout his illness.

Recitation of the Holy Rosary will begin at 9:30 AM on Tuesday, June 13, 2017 with a Memorial Mass immediately following at Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine and Parish, 3600 Parroquia Street in Tortugas. Private inurnment of the cremains will follow the Mass.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Humane Society of Southern New Mexico, PO Box 13826, Las Cruces, NM 88013.