Obituary of J. W. Bill Smith

It is with profound sadness that the family of J.W (Bill) Smith wishes to announce his sudden passing at his home in Stanley on Sunday, December 16, 2012. Bill was born in Campbellton, NB on October 20, 1940 and was the eldest child of the late Lloyd and Edna (Bell) Smith. Bill grew up in Campbellton and Dalhousie where he enjoyed an active home life and developed many endearing friendships which have lasted until today. Many happy summers were spent farming with “Uncle Will” on his farm in Morrison Cove. Bill was an avid curler and in his youth, he won a provincial high school basketball title with his team. Forestry was Bill’s passion; he was a forestry contractor by trade. He had a terrific love of the outdoors and nature. In more recent years, Bill dedicated his leisure time to caring for his Christmas trees, which provided him with immeasurable pride and pleasure. Bill was past President of the NB Christmas Tree Co-operative and was a Charter Member of the board of “Tree Plan Canada”, the National Community Tree Foundation. He served his community as Mayor of Stanley from 1983-1992 and was Director of the Association of Villages of New Brunswick. For over 25 years he was a Board Member of the Stanley Mutual Insurance Company and Chairman of the Canadian Association of Mutual Insurance Companies and a Board Member of United General Insurance Corporation. He enjoyed volunteering with the Stanley Boy Scouts, the NB Highland Games Committee and the Atlantic Salmon Federation. He was a Charter Member of the York Carleton Community Futures Inc. and Past President of the South West Valley Business Development Corporation. Bill was a life long member of the Masonic Order and had received the 33rd degree the highest order that the lodge can confer. He was a member of Luxor and a very active participant in the Luxor Shriners Fire Brigade. Easter was a particularly special time of year for Bill and he enjoyed participating in Living Last Supper at St. Thomas Anglican Church, where he was an active member. Bill was a man full of wisdom, knowledge and loved to tell a story. More recently as his wife and daughter insisted on accompanying him to various medical appointments, he would proudly (and often loudly) announce that “Team Smith” had arrived. Bill is survived by his wife and best friend, Susan (Logan), their only child, Courtney and her husband, Kevin Jones; grandsons, Quinn, Rhys, and Sebastian; sister, Marg (Dow) Dorcas; brother, David (Betty Anne) Smith; three nephews, Scott Smith, Robin Dorcas, Peter Dorcas and niece, April Dunn; brother-in-law, Mark Logan; special family members, Doug, Barb, Kirk and Chris (Heather) MacDonald; Bill’s grandsons were the light of his life and to them he was known as “Bub”. For those who wish, remembrances may be made to the St. Thomas Anglican Church in Stanley or to the Luxor Shriners of New Brunswick.