Willard W. Smith August 20, 1927 – December 2, 2018 Willard (Bill) Werner Smith died December 2, 2018 at age 91, from pulmonary fibrosis. Willard was born in Cleveland, Ohio, to Harry Conrad Smith and Maude Werner Smith. He graduated from Lakewood High School, then served in the U.S. Navy on the USS Belleau Wood.
As a veteran of World War II, Willard attended Miami University of Ohio. At Miami, he worked on the student newspaper, meeting the love of his life Nathine Goodenough. … Read More » After their graduation, Willard and Nathine married in June, 1950.
Willard was accepted into a graduate program in Public Administration at the University of Denver in Colorado, leading to a wonderful road trip for the newlyweds. After graduation with a Master of Science degree in government management, Willard accepted a position as Executive Secretary with the Municipal League of Toledo. In 1961, Willard became Director of Administration at Toledo University.
He was a member of the 1968 team that brought the municipal college TU into the University System of Ohio as the University of Toledo. Willard rose to become Vice President of Business Affairs where he oversaw significant construction projects and the expansion of the campus, becoming fondly known as “Mr. UT”. He also was on the team that helped bring to Toledo the Medical College of Ohio, now the UT Medical Center.
After his retirement in 1989 from his administrative post, he held an appointment and taught classes in the political science department. Willard remained active following his retirement from the university, continuing his volunteer activity. He served as a trustee of Flower Memorial Hospital, Toledo Hospital, and later on the Board of Directors of the Promedica System.
In addition, Nathine and Bill enjoyed traveling the world, from Australia to Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas. Willard also chaired the regional Oncology Institutional Review Board, where new treatments for cancers were overseen. After retiring from the IRB, Willard and Nathine moved to Ohio Living Swan Creek among their many friends from Epworth United Methodist Church and the University of Toledo.
Willard and Nathine are longtime members of Epworth United Methodist Church in Toledo. Willard helped manage the business affairs at Epworth, and served on the Epworth Foundation and building committee. Throughout their lives in Toledo they have been supporters of the Toledo Museum of Art and the Toledo Symphony.
They have been active in the Palestine Chapter of the Ohio Eastern Star and Willard was a lifelong member of the Rotary Club of Toledo. Willard is survived by his wife of 68 years, Elizabeth Nathine Goodenough Smith, sons David K. Smith (Theresa E. Blair) of Martinez, CA, and Steven C. Smith (Stacia Lewandowski) of Richmond, VA, and a sister, Margaret Soeder of Mentor, OH. Friends may visit the family on Wednesday, December 5, 2018 at Walker Funeral Home 5155 Sylvania Ave.
(west of Corey Rd). Funeral services will be Thursday at 11:00 a.m. at Epworth United Methodist Church 4855 Central Ave. Toledo, OH 43615.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Epworth United Methodist Church, and/or the Alzheimer’s Association of Chicago.
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