William "Bill" Smithson, 86 of Johns Island, SC, formerly of Martinsburg, WV passed away on May 18, 2024 surrounded by his family.

Bill was born and raised in West Virginia and attended classes at West Virginia State College. He spent six years in the Air National Guard prior to beginning his career with the telephone company. He was transferred to Washington, DC living in Bowie, MD where he and his wife raised their two daughters. After a 30-year career, he retired from Bell Atlantic in l991.

In his younger years, he was an avid bowler, participating in multiple leagues as well as coaching youth bowling leagues. Following his retirement, he took up golf and enjoyed playing with friends and family regularly. He had many hobbies including fishing, gardening, "tinkering" and building things. His love of family was remarkable; he enjoyed spending time with his wife, their two daughters and two granddaughters. He made a point of keeping in touch with numerous nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles as well as a multitude of friends. He was known for his friendliness, kindness, compassion and generosity. His passion for volunteering and helping others led him to join the Martinsburg Lions Club on April 14, 2009. He was the recipient of the Leonard Jarrett Award, the highest honor bestowed by the West Virginia Lions Sight Conservation Foundation, as well as the Melvin Jones Fellowship Award, the highest award level a local club can bestow on a member. He continued his service in various capacities until shortly before his death.

Bill is survived and dearly missed by his wife of 61 years, Roberta of Johns Island, SC, his daughter Katherine Prager (Dean) of Hardeeville, SC, his daughter Melinda Wetmore of Johns Island, SC, his sister of Kernersville, NC and two granddaughters Maddie DeMoss of Panama City, FL and Abigail DeMoss of Portland, OR. He was preceded in death by his parents, his two brothers and his son-in-law.

A Celebration of Life will be held at noon on August 9, 2024, at the Crofton Country Club, Crofton, MD. In lieu of flowers, charitable donations may be made to the Martinsburg Lions Club, P.O. Box 2226, Martinsburg, WV 25402 or the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, 3 International Drive, Suite 200, Rye Brook, New York 10573.