Capt. William Timothy Smith , USAF (Ret. ) William Timothy Smith, alias “Sugar Bear,” was born the son of David Smith, Jr. and Essie Lee Harrison Smith on January 28, 1952 in Lafayette, Louisiana.
He was the third sibling of this union. After a substantial illness which became obvious in October 2018, William responded to God’s call on March 12, 2019 when he said goodbye to his family and friends and entered into eternal rest. His final days were spent in Warner Robins, Georgia.
William was a precocious child who stood apart from his peers at an early age. He was a people-person who found joy and laughter in many things, especially playing practical jokes on his family and friends even through adulthood. As a child, William loved sports and enjoyed playing baseball in his neighborhood.
He attended both elementary and high school at J.S. Clark in Opelousas, Louisiana. After integration occurred, he attended newly segregated Opelousas Senior High School where he completed his secondary education. Upon graduating, William attended Grambling State University and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in biology.
William was dedicated to his career. He enlisted in the Army where he served for four years, then joined the Air Force and served for sixteen years reaching the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. His career gave him the opportunity to travel extensively around the world.
Germany was one of his favorite sites. William loved his family, especially his mother. He made frequent trips to Opelousas to make sure that Essie Lee, or “Ms. Mitchell” as he called her, was content, especially when she became a resident of Heritage Manor Nursing Home.
One of his greatest joys was planning an Opelousas Family Reunion to enjoy talking and joking with relatives, traveling, playing basketball, and loved running. Upon each visit home, he looked forward to eating his brother-in-law Carroll’s outstanding barbecue. Most people will remember him as a generous, free-spirited individual.
William was dedicated to his family and grandchildren who he adored. He was preceded in death by his father, David Smith, Jr., his stepfather, Doris Mitchell, Sr.; his brother, Curtis Mitchell; and his sister, Thealois Timothy Leslie. William is survived by his wife, Mila of Warner Robins; children, Jabbar Smith (Louisa) of Metairie, Louisiana, Lee Smith of Santa Monica, California, Ange Hall (Jared) of Olney, Maryland, grandchildren, Kassidy Smith, Ahmya and Craig Hall, Marley Smith, and Lillian Kastner; mother, Essie Lee Mitchell of Opelousas, Louisiana; sisters, Ruth Smith of Nashville, Tennessee, Shirley Hicks of Eunice, Louisiana, Dr. Julia Darbonne (Carroll) and Cheryl Guillory, both of Opelousas, Louisiana, Pauline Lewis of Lafayette, Louisiana, Mary Christine Greene (Nathaniel) of Houston, Texas, Shawn Smith of Arizona, and Crystal Smith of Maryland; brothers, David Smith of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Ronald Mitchell (Valynda) of Cincinnati, Ohio, Claudius Smith (Kinatta) of Houston, Texas, Kenneth Smith (Beverley) of Maryland, and Chrispin Smith of Denmark; uncle, Dr. C. Fin Smith of Morgan City, Louisiana; a host of nieces and nephews, other relatives and special friends; godchildren, Jasmine Darbonne, Lake Charles, Louisiana and Felix Reinhardt.
Memorial Services will be Saturday, March 23, 2019, from 1:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully suggests memorial donations be given in memory of William to the American Brain Tumor Association, 8550 W. Bryn Mawr Ave. , Ste. 550, Chicago, IL 60631, www.
abta.org. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Captain William Timothy Smith please visit our Sympathy Store.
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