Claude William "Bill" Smith
September 4, 1942 ~ September 30, 2013
Claude William "Bill" Smith, 71, died on Monday, September 30, 2013 at home. Born in Washington, DC and raised in the Metro area, he considered the house on Ross Place in DC to be his childhood home. Graduated from Lynchburg College in 1964 and Officer Candidate School at the Quantico Marine Corps Base in 1965.
He serendipitously met his wife of 47 years, Gerrie Morrison Smith on a nostalgic jaunt to Ross Place. They married in 1966 and he shipped out to Vietnam, where he received a battlefield promotion to Captain.
After law school, they built a home in McLean, where they raised their four girls. He worked at the Treasury Department, as a staffer on the House Appropriations Committee and was a founding partner of Lee & Smith.
He was a man who baked his own cookies, which he would deliver to everyone he knew, PTO President at St. John's School, an LDS Bishop, a letter writer and military history buff. He lived on a schedule and always arrived five minutes early. He enjoyed long walks, depressing poetry, classical country music and hamburgers. Most of all he enjoyed simply being with his family. He considered everything after Vietnam to be bonus years, and he did not waste any of them.
He leaves behind his beloved wife and four daughters, Melissa Segura (Agustin), Alexandra Cannon (Brigham), Jessica Cameron (Matthew) and Katie Smith; 10 grandchildren; and his sisters, (Ina Helms and Mary Alice Alvario). We hate to lose him, but know it is only for a little while. Again. Next time. Always. Forever.
The family will receive friends at the Money & King Funeral Home, 171 W. Maple Avenue, Vienna, VA on Wednesday, October 2, from 6 to 8 pm. Funeral services will be held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 1325 Scotts Run Rd., McLean, VA on Thursday, October 3 at 11 am. Interment will be at Quantico National Cemetery. Online condolences and fond memories may be offered at www.moneyandking.com.
Funeral Home:
Money & King Funeral Home
171 W. Maple Ave.
Vienna, VA
US 22180
He serendipitously met his wife of 47 years, Gerrie Morrison Smith on a nostalgic jaunt to Ross Place. They married in 1966 and he shipped out to Vietnam, where he received a battlefield promotion to Captain.
After law school, they built a home in McLean, where they raised their four girls. He worked at the Treasury Department, as a staffer on the House Appropriations Committee and was a founding partner of Lee & Smith.
He was a man who baked his own cookies, which he would deliver to everyone he knew, PTO President at St. John's School, an LDS Bishop, a letter writer and military history buff. He lived on a schedule and always arrived five minutes early. He enjoyed long walks, depressing poetry, classical country music and hamburgers. Most of all he enjoyed simply being with his family. He considered everything after Vietnam to be bonus years, and he did not waste any of them.
He leaves behind his beloved wife and four daughters, Melissa Segura (Agustin), Alexandra Cannon (Brigham), Jessica Cameron (Matthew) and Katie Smith; 10 grandchildren; and his sisters, (Ina Helms and Mary Alice Alvario). We hate to lose him, but know it is only for a little while. Again. Next time. Always. Forever.
The family will receive friends at the Money & King Funeral Home, 171 W. Maple Avenue, Vienna, VA on Wednesday, October 2, from 6 to 8 pm. Funeral services will be held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 1325 Scotts Run Rd., McLean, VA on Thursday, October 3 at 11 am. Interment will be at Quantico National Cemetery. Online condolences and fond memories may be offered at www.moneyandking.com.
Funeral Home:
Money & King Funeral Home
171 W. Maple Ave.
Vienna, VA
US 22180
View current weather.
Memories Timeline
Guestbook
Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle
So sorry to hear about the passing of Bill. My first job on the hill was with Bill on the Treasury Postal Subcommittee. He taught me all the ins and outs of putting together a bill. I’ve always had the highest level of respect for Bill, not only for the knowledge of the process but for the truly wonderful human being he was. My condolences to the family for your loss.
As a child, I always looked forward to my beloved uncles visits. I always admired his intelligence and sophistication. He was a kind and wonderful man.
Bill was a wonderful man. We all loved him very much. My children will remember him most for performing the wedding of Steve and Emily and for the way he always remembered birthdays. His birthday remembrances are one of Betsie’s fondest memories. You were the best, Bill!! My thoughts and prayers are with you, Gerri.
I will always remember when he first called to introduce the Smith’s. His voice was warm & kind. A true gentleman. When we first met at Matt’s graduation from Georgetown Univ, I couldn’t help but reach over and hug him. It was comforting to know my son was in such wonderful company. He later asked me where we should eat that night, and I said ‘how about chinese?’ He said fine. As we gathered at a place he liked, he was so friendly with such a diverse group. Many meeting for the first time, he melted any anxieties. I enjoyed the private lunch he and Gerry had for me, and still clearly recall them waiting patiently for me, by the roadside. The beautiful wedding, reception they held, the delicious dinners at their home, and seeing the glistening diamond -like reflections of the snow out their windows. So touched by them taking extra time to make sure there were lovely flowers for my arrival, and the beauty was enjoyed. Being able to spend 2004 Christmas with them was joyful. Walking thru the door, & being handed a gift just for me………… It was as if he was always thinking of others every minute. One time, he cooked my dinner, it reminded me of my own father’s caring ways. When he asked me to say the prayer at the DC reception, he wanted me to include a blessing on the marriage. Later when they brought over the wedding gifts, it was like “Christmas in Summer”. He enjoyed the California Open House, and as I was preparing and setting up little things here and there, I can still see him off in a distance asking me if he could help. I wish I’d said yes. I was so happy he enjoyed the moments of that simple get together. He spoke at times about his grandmother, and the civil war. He had a sense about things, and would ask if I needed anything, always concerned for others. I wanted so much for him to read poems from my little book-not knowing he liked poetry.
Bill was our bishop, role model, and friend. He visited us often with warm, homemade cookies and cared about each of us. When I shipped out to Iraq and returned, he looked out for my family and me. When my sons did plays at Marshall High School, he was there. When we walked on the pioneer trek, he walked with us and talked with our youngest son. When our son got in a scrape, he was there to advise and help. When I pondered on what to do after the military, he listened and shared wisdom. He was a gentleman–brave and kind.
Bishop Smith was very kind and helpful to my family while my dad was away in Iraq. He was the kind of LDS bishop that took his job as servant of the Lord very seriously, a true leader. He treated everyone with compassion, looked for opportunities to serve those in need, and made those that knew him feel important and loved, even the people who were only in his congregation for a short time. I offer my deepest condolences to his family.
Bishop Smith was one of the most caring and kind individuals I’ve ever met. He was so encouraging to my son, Daniel, that one of the first things Daniel wanted me to do when he made the high school freshman basketball team was to let Bishop Smith know the schedule of games, and that was after we we no longer in the same ward. One of my favorite memories was when Daniel was about 10 or 11, and my husband was coaching the Young Men’s team (the Angry Muffins). Over one weekend, there were not enough players for a game (just four players showed up), so Daniel asked if he could play, even though he wasn’t old enough. Both teams agreed, and Daniel played, even scoring a few points before the other team realized that although he was shorter, he knew how to play basketball. After that game, Bishop Smith praised Daniel and made him feel like he could have taken on an NBA team all on his own.
As a young man and a military brat I had to get to know lots of bishops over the years. One of the ones that stood out to me as a compassionate, loving human being was Bishop Bill Smith. He was always supportive, patient, kind, and was never judgmental. He made sure to look after my family when my dad was away in Iraq and continued to be loving and supportive when he came home. I knew him as a great bishop but I also understand he was a loving father and a veteran of the Vietnam war, dedicated to serving his country. He will be missed.
I am so sorry I lost touch my friend. It seems you had a truly wonderful life and accomplished so much after our high school days. I wish our paths had crossed more after high school graduation. I searched for you but sadly only recently learned you were gone. My condolences to your wonderful family.
I am so sorry I lost touch my friend. It seems you had a truly wonderful life and accomplished so much after our high school days. I wish our paths had crossed more after high school graduation. I searched for you but sadly only recently learned you were gone. My condolences to your wonderful family.