William A. Smith, 78, died at his home on Thursday, September 25, 2025. He was born on January 2, 1947, in Springfield, Vt., to Robert A. and Marion D. “Molly” (Chesley) Smith. His early education took place in the Amsden one-room schoolhouse; his later elementary years were at the new school in Perkinsville. He graduated from Springfield High School in 1965. He earned an associate degree from Albany Business College, which prepared him for his career in banking and credit finances. He also attended Paul Smith College for forestry.
He and his first wife, Sandra, started their family in Bennington, but soon moved to Charlestown, N.H., built a home, and Bill was a committed member of the community. He was a part of many of the local sports programs, coached hockey, soccer, basketball, and baseball, and scheduled most of the games for PVA hockey. He often gave rides to and from to ensure that transportation was never a limitation to participation. He and Sandra separated around 1985 but remained close friends, coworkers, and coparents to their sons, Mike and Pat. In 1990, Bill moved to Langdon, N.H. In 1995, he married Denise Bushway and welcomed her son Jeremy into the family. A few months later, Molly was born.
Bill adored his family, and they spent as much time together as possible. He attended every game or event that his children or grandchildren were involved in (or watched it on TV/online), helped to watch the grandchildren after school, and was overjoyed to spend almost every day with Ira. In the winters, he would ski with his parents and brothers at Mt. Ascutney and Tuckerman Ravine. Later, he would ski with Molly at Arrowhead. In the summers, they enjoyed camping between games and practices.
Bill was an excellent and detailed storyteller and family historian. One of his favorite stories was of his and Pat’s trip to Alaska. They drove the entire state, visited relatives along the way, and were immersed in the beauty and wonder of the place.
Bill is survived by his wife Denise M. Smith of Weathersfield; four children Mike Smith and wife Amy of Essex, Vt., Pat Smith and wife Ashley of Weathersfield, Molly Smith of Charlestown, N.H., and Jeremy Thompson and wife Casilyn of Charlestown; two brothers Mitchell Smith and wife Cindy of Saranac Lake, N.Y. and Vincent Smith of Zephyrhills, Fla.; his former wife Sandra Smith of Claremont, N.H.; five grandchildren Jason, Abbigale, Regan, Morgan, and Ira; other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
A graveside service will be held in Ascutneyville Cemetery at 11:30 a.m. on Sunday, October 12. Memorial donations may be made to your local youth sports teams. Knight Funeral Home of Windsor, Vt., has been entrusted with arrangements, and online condolences may be expressed at knightfuneralhomes.com.
