BENBROOK – Sun set the last time for SMSgt Frederick William Smith’s earthly life on July 28, 2026. He wanted to be remembered as simply “Bill” who loved Hawaiian shirts and bright Argyle socks. Visitation: 6 – 8 p.m. Monday, Aug. 3, 2026, at Greenwood Funeral Home in Memorial Suite A, 3344 White Settlement Rd., Fort Worth, Texas 76107. Funeral Service: 1 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026, at First Baptist Church Benbrook, 1015 McKinley St., Benbrook, Texas 76126. Interment: Greenwood Memorial Park. Bill was born at home on Sept. 19, 1930, to Mary Beatrice Milks and Leslie Gordon Smith in Kansas City, Missouri, where he attended James Elementary and Northeast High School, class of 1947. Early in life, Bill began working to help support his mother, older sister, and younger brother. Newspaper delivery routes, ice delivery, mowing, pharmacy stock/delivery boy and chauffeur were part of his resume. He was a member of International Brotherhood of Teamsters from 1947-51. In winter of 1939, Bill realized that he needed Jesus leading his life and prayed to accept salvation. No matter where in our world he lived, Bill joined a local Baptist church where he shared his spiritual gifts of music, teaching, leadership, hospitality, giving, faith, and service. In his words: “The road has been rocky these many years but the Lord has been faithful to uphold and lead me. Without Jesus I would be nothing.” Lois was Billy’s childhood sweetheart and they were married in 1953, eventually celebrating almost 70 years. Friday was their date night even when children were added to their family. They enjoyed restaurant dining, movies, roller skating, picnics, dancing, and concerts. In 1957, they were inducted as lifetime members of Teddington Caledonian Society of Middlesex, Great Britain where he learned to play bagpipes and they learned Scottish folk dancing. Their home wasn’t a place, it was our family where memories flowed bountifully from shared adventures, learning opportunities, travel, celebrations, communal tasks, even a few military alerts and natural disasters, homemade ice cream, and lots of unconditional love. Bill began his civic service in 1942-43 by joining President Roosevelt’s Wartime Service Kansas City Junior Safety Council Patrol. He was an outspoken advocate for citizens rights by working with city governments and local politicians to pursue issues he truly believed in, wherever he lived and for his entire life. Smitty’s, as his military buddies called him, United States Air Force career spanned more than 26 years, 1951-77. During that time, he was stationed at 17 different locations in five countries plus serving in the Korean and Vietnam Wars. SMSgt Smith earned 22 medals including the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, and Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm. His commanding officers often wrote that he distinguished himself by excellence, initiative, diligence, and devotion to duty. Bill’s second career lasted 47 years, just two weeks before his passing. At MultiTronics Corporation, they manufactured various electronic devices for military use during his tenure as CEO. For recreation, Bill enjoyed vegetable/fruit gardening, baseball/softball, reading, and plenty of music – singing solos, Gudtyme 4 barbershop quartet, Cowtown Chorus, church choir, Broadway’s Messiah annual singalong, playing instruments, leading congregational worship, Fort Worth Symphony longtime patron, or listening to his excellent stereo system. Bill is survived by his children, Cheryl Scott, Doug Smith and wife, Rhonda, Adella Smith and husband, Edward, Alexia Pegues and husband, Ben, and Kathy French and husband, Brian; grandchildren, Layne Pegues and wife, Uyen, Natalie Sosa and husband, Brandon, Rachel Carmickle and husband, Bill, Cyndy Pegues, and Christina Kohn and husband, Christian; and great-grandchildren, Kirstyn Sosa, Austin Sosa, and Dylan Soto; and daughters, Catalina and Elaedria, Dechlan Scott, and Adelyn Sosa. He was preceded in death by his wife, Lois Mae Smith; father, Leslie Gordon Smith; his mother, Mary Beatrice Wylie; his sister, Mary Jo Garten; his brother, James Alva Smith; and grandson, Zachary David Scott. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations to Gideon Bibles or Disabled American Veterans (DAV) in honor of Bill Smith. GREENWOOD FUNERAL HOME Greenwood Funeral Homes – Cremation 3344 White Settlement Road, Fort Worth, TX 76107 817-336-0584

Related

View more details from the funeral home site.

Fort Worth Report is certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative for adhering to standards for ethical journalism.