Dr. William R. Smith
– June 7, 2024
Dr. William R. (Bill) Smith, DDS, 92, of Sun City Center, FL, passed away on June 7, 2024.
Dr. William Robert Smith was born in Georgetown, IL. He earned his bachelor’s degree at Millikin University in Decatur, IL, and completed his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree at Marquette University. He joined the Army as an officer and served as a dentist in Korea near the end of the Korean War.
After returning stateside, to Kentucky, Dr. Smith married Betty Walcher, his college sweetheart, on June 20, 1959. They soon welcomed two children.
When Dr. Smith left the Army, he joined the Army reserves and relocated his family to Tuscola, Illinois, and opened a private dental practice. Dr. & Mrs. Smith expanded their family by two more children. As part of the Army Reserves, Lt. Colonel Smith took part in numerous overseas military medical missions to impoverished areas in Bolivia, Guatemala, Honduras and Germany. He later joined the Army National Guard and retired as a Brigadier General after 38 years of dedicated service to his country.
Dr. Smith retired from dentistry after 42 years. Dr. & Mrs. Smith moved to Florida in 2017. In 2023, he was the Honorary Grand Marshall for the Memorial Day celebration in Sun City Center, FL.
Dr. Smith was predeceased by his parents and six siblings. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Betty; four children, Kevin, Lisa, Kyle & Loralee; and eight grandchildren, Sam Smith, Rachel Smith, Audrey Smith, Lydia Smith, Jessica Dembeck, Austin Dembeck, Ethan Schrand and Ava Schrand.
Dr. William Robert Smith was born in Georgetown, IL. He earned his bachelor’s degree at Millikin University in Decatur, IL, and completed his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree at Marquette University. He joined the Army as an officer and served as a dentist in Korea near the end of the Korean War.
After returning stateside, to Kentucky, Dr. Smith married Betty Walcher, his college sweetheart, on June 20, 1959. They soon welcomed two children.
When Dr. Smith left the Army, he joined the Army reserves and relocated his family to Tuscola, Illinois, and opened a private dental practice. Dr. & Mrs. Smith expanded their family by two more children. As part of the Army Reserves, Lt. Colonel Smith took part in numerous overseas military medical missions to impoverished areas in Bolivia, Guatemala, Honduras and Germany. He later joined the Army National Guard and retired as a Brigadier General after 38 years of dedicated service to his country.
Dr. Smith retired from dentistry after 42 years. Dr. & Mrs. Smith moved to Florida in 2017. In 2023, he was the Honorary Grand Marshall for the Memorial Day celebration in Sun City Center, FL.
Dr. Smith was predeceased by his parents and six siblings. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Betty; four children, Kevin, Lisa, Kyle & Loralee; and eight grandchildren, Sam Smith, Rachel Smith, Audrey Smith, Lydia Smith, Jessica Dembeck, Austin Dembeck, Ethan Schrand and Ava Schrand.