William M. (Bill) Smith 80, Fortified with the Sacraments of Holy Mother Church. Passed Friday, July 15, 2016 surrounded by his nine children, as well as many other family members, grandchildren and friends. Bill started the PaintSmiths, Inc. in 1963 with his brother, Jerry, and became sole owner in 1968. Over the next 40 years, he grew the PaintSmiths into one of the larger painting contractors in St. Louis. Bill served for many years on the painting industry trust fund, served as chairman of the Painting and Decoration Foundation, and in 2004, their most distinguished service award was named in his honor. The PaintSmiths tradition carries on with his son’s Michael, the PaintSmiths of Missouri, and Jeff, the PaintSmiths of St. Louis.
In addition to his service to the painting industry, Bill was a tireless volunteer, board member and contributor to many service organizations. At the White House Jesuit Retreat Center, Bill served on the board as well as attended retreats for 55 years. Bill regularly took mission trips to Belize with the St. Joseph Medical Brigade, which built churches, did medical screenings, and donated school supplies. Bill volunteered with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), assisting with the construction of their retreat center in Cuba, MO. Bill volunteered with EarthWatch, assisting with research projects in Tibet, Poland, New Zealand, Scotland and Mexico.
Bill was known for his humble service and incredible generosity, helping those who had fallen on hard times. He would open his home, his heart, and his wallet, to those in need, often anonymously, and always with great humility.
For Bill, affectionately known by loved ones as Grumpy, family was the most important thing in his life. He married his high school sweetheart, Yvonne (Prost), whom he lost in 1997. Together they had nine children, all survived by him, Steve (Phoebe), Larry (Lucy), Greg, Jeff (Jeanette), Terry Raftery (Tim), Patty McDonald (Pat), Laura Conrad (Gary), Michael (Cindy), and Curt (Nancy). He is also survived by 28 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren.
Funeral Tuesday, July 26, 9:30 AM from COLLIER’S Funeral Home, 3400 N. Lindbergh Blvd. (St. Ann) to Holy Trinity Church, 3500 St. Luke Ln., Mass 10:00 AM. Interment Laurel Hill Cemetery. Visitation Monday, July 25, 3:00-9:00 PM. In Lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy in Bill’s memory may be made to White House Retreat, 7400 Christopher Dr. St. Louis, MO. 63129.