William Alfred Smith, 85, of Early, passed away on Thursday, August 17, 2023, in Katy, Texas.
Funeral services will be held at 10am on Saturday, August 26, at the Heartland Funeral Home Chapel in Early with the Pastor Larry Key officiating. Interment will follow at Eastlawn Memorial Park.
Visitation will be held on Friday, August 25, from 6pm to 8pm at Heartland Funeral Home.
William Alfred “Bill” was born June 5th, 1938, in Burnet County to Albert William Smith and Rubie Ora Melton Smith. He graduated from Howard Payne University in 1961 with a B.S. in English and received his master’s degree from Howard Payne in Education in 1968. He married Charlotte Ann Blair in Valley View, Texas on August 25, 1962.
Bill served as a Staff Sergeant T-patcher in the 36th division of the Texas National Guard from 1956-1967. He was a proud American and even prouder Texan.
Bill began his teaching career in 1961 in May, Texas alongside his wife, Charlotte Ann, where he taught English and coached football. Mr. Smith spent another 32 years teaching in La Porte ISD in various teaching roles as an English teacher, football coach, assistant principal and finally retiring as principal at Lomax Junior High in 1999.
Bill was married to Charlotte for 46 beautiful years before her passing in 2008. He was a devout Baptist and a member of Early First Baptist Church. He was also a member of the Texas Retired Teachers Association and the National Teachers Association.
Bill loved to rescue animals, watch western movies and football and listen to old country music. His favorite pastimes were fishing and collecting coins.
He is survived by his only son, William James “B.J.” Smith and his wife, Christine Tran of Houston, Texas; granddaughters, Jocelyn Chiu and Caroline Smith; and his two fur babies, Precious and Kacey.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Maxine Hine and brother-in-law, George Hine of Early and his brother, Jimmy Smith.
Memorials if desired, may be made to Early First Baptist Church or your choice of an animal shelter.
Condolences, memories, and tributes can be offered to the Smith family online at heartlandfuneralhome.com.