William ‘Bill’ Edward Smith
January 1, 2021 at 9:26 p.m.
William ‘Bill’ Edward Smith
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He was born to Ernest and Esther Smith in Akron on Nov. 11, 1936.
He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, and while at home on leave, married Carol Ann Smith in 1956; she preceded him in death on Feb. 22, 1997.
He was discharged from the Air Force. He was commissioned as a 2nd Lt. and retired with the rank of Lt. Col. in 1983. Bill had a distinguished military career with many accomplishments, including serving as a minuteman missile combat crew commander. He and his deputy (longterm friend, Elbert Johnson) were the first crew in the Air Force to be qualified as mission-ready directly from initial training. They were also selected to launch a missile as an operational test. In addition, Bill was presented with the Crewmember Excellence Award by the command at 15th Air Force, an honor awarded to approximately the top 15% of the crew force.
A graveside service is being planned in the spring to honor him.
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Share a memory or send an online condolence at www.hartzlerfuneralservices.com.
He was born to Ernest and Esther Smith in Akron on Nov. 11, 1936.
He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, and while at home on leave, married Carol Ann Smith in 1956; she preceded him in death on Feb. 22, 1997.
He was discharged from the Air Force. He was commissioned as a 2nd Lt. and retired with the rank of Lt. Col. in 1983. Bill had a distinguished military career with many accomplishments, including serving as a minuteman missile combat crew commander. He and his deputy (longterm friend, Elbert Johnson) were the first crew in the Air Force to be qualified as mission-ready directly from initial training. They were also selected to launch a missile as an operational test. In addition, Bill was presented with the Crewmember Excellence Award by the command at 15th Air Force, an honor awarded to approximately the top 15% of the crew force.
A graveside service is being planned in the spring to honor him.
*****
Share a memory or send an online condolence at www.hartzlerfuneralservices.com.
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