A Celebration of Life Set for William James Smith
William James Smith
A Celebration of Life will be conducted Saturday November 4, 2023, 12 Noon at Second Chance Ministries, 381 East Ferry Street, Buffalo; Pastor Arthur Boyd, Officiating.
William James Smith, affectionately known by all as Bill, was born May 7, 1934, in Mansfield, Ohio to Bessie Kate and Robert Smith. William was sent to reside with his grandparents Lula and Robert Jackson in Buffalo, New York, around 9 years old.
William attended Buffalo Public School #47 and Hutchinson Central High School. He graduated from Bryant & Stratton with an AAS in Business Administration and Data Processing. He also attended Erie Community College and graduated with an AAS in Mental Health Counseling. William was on the Dean’s List every year while he attended college.
William accepted Jesus Christ as his savior at an early age and he was baptized at St. John’s Baptist Church under Pastor Burnie C. McCarley, where he sang in the choir. Later in life, William joined Second Chance Ministries under Pastor Arthur H. Boyd. In 2002, William was ordained a Deacon and later became an Elder of the church. He was devoted and committed to the Spiritual Recovery Ministry called the Missing Link which he was co-founder.
William enlisted in the U.S. Army from 1956-1959. He was stationed in Dartmouth, Germany, where he served as a radio repairman. He was honorably discharged as a Spec 5 Sergeant.
William has served his community, employed at the African Cultural Center, Blind Association and St. Augustine Center. He was employed at Buffalo City Hall, department of Substance of Abuse, where he was the first HIV/AIDS tester and certified phlebotomist with a mobile counseling and testing outreach vehicle called “Project Reach” that traveled the community. The Unit was moved to Columbus Hospital, BGH (Kaleida Health) where he worked for over twenty years until retirement. After his retirement, William was employed at Group Ministries continuing as a HIV/AIDS tester until he was 75 years old.
William was the recipient of the Clarkson Center for Human Service in 1994. He received Honorary Recognition from the Erie County Sheriff’s Office and Certificate of Appreciation from Kaleida Health, in honor of dedicated service and commitment. William also received a Leadership Award for his services in the HIV/ AIDS field from Group Coalition.
William lived a full life; he was able to travel to London, Paris and Amsterdam while stationed in Dartmouth, Germany. He loved traveling with his wife Inez, family and friends on numerous cruises, Las Vegas trips and several cities across the U.S. He was an avid gamer; he played pool, ping pong, chess, checkers, bridge, poker, blackjack, pinochle, backgammon, bid wiz, spades and other card games.
William was dedicated and passionate about helping others. He had a gentle nature about him, very kind, sweet and calm. He loved his family and friends and enjoyed the company of his grandchildren.
William was preceded in death by his sons, William James Smith Jr. and Derek Alan Hill; his six siblings, Marjorie, Mary, Alonzo, Christine, Helen, and Martha Jean; and his nephew Ronald and niece Jenell.
He leaves to mourn in his passing, his wife Inez C. Smith; his daughters: Darcell R. Hill and Nicole C. Keith (Marlon); grandchildren: Monique Lott, Tiffany Garland (Jeremy), Nakeata Graham (Dominique) and Derek Hill II (Jessica); great-grandchildren Brandon, Cheriyah, Derek III, Khloe, Jayla, Isabel and Judah; Brother-in-law, Zaid Islam; daughter-in-law, Pamela Hill; a host of nieces and nephews and the Smith, Jackson and Hill family.
Interment will be in the Western New York National Cemetery, Corfu, NY. Services are under the auspices of Thomas T. Edwards Funeral Home, Inc., 995 Genesee Street, Buffalo, New York; Darrell M. Saxon II, Funeral Director.