William "Bill" Smith

William “Bill” Smith, 84, of Alexandria passed away on Monday, August 28, 2023. Memorial services will be held Friday, September 8, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. at Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria. A public visitation will take place a half hour prior to services on Friday with a light luncheon and opportunity to visit following the service. Burial will take place at a later date at Evergreen Cemetery in Brainerd.

William Alonzo Smith was the youngest of the six children born to William L.L. and Gladys (Bedow) Smith.  He came into this world May 7, 1939 in Brainerd, MN and his soul peacefully departed this world Tuesday August 28, 2023, at home in Alexandria, MN.  

Bill enlisted in the US Airforce when he was 17 years old.  His training path was electronics technician.  After basic training he spent time at Scott AFB in Illinois, Homestead AFB in Florida, Elmendorf AFB and then King Salmon AFB, both in Alaska.  He received an honorable discharge as an Airman 2^nd Class in April 1963.  After his discharge, he worked at various jobs and attended Brainerd Junior College. He continued his education at Bemidji State College where he earned a BA, BS, and Master’s degree over the years.

Bill and Mary Ann Vuchetich (daughter of Rudolph and Marjorie [Baker] Vuchetich) married September 9, 1967 in Brainerd.  They both graduated from BSC in 1968, then moved to Grand Forks, ND where Bill worked as a computer programmer for the University of ND.  The couple moved back to Bemidji where their son, David, was born in 1970.  After one year as a programmer in the Twin Cities, they were back in Bemidji to finish Bill’s teaching degree.  He then taught Math and Social Studies in Brewster, MN during the 1972-73 school year.  He started teaching at ATC in the fall of 1973 and retired in May 1997.  Their daughter, Kimberly, was born in Alexandria in 1975, completing their family.

When Mary accepted a job in Lexington, KY, they moved there in early 1998.  Bill found a job as the computer specialist for the Scott County Library in Georgetown, KY and worked there until both he and Mary retired in 2011.  They moved back to MN in May 2011, first living in Glenwood and then moving to Alexandria in 2019.  He was a member of the Glenwood Lions Club for a number of years.

Woodworking, and related tool collecting, was an interest of Bill’s that he put to good use remodeling homes the family lived in, along with refinishing furniture.  Bill discovered that he enjoyed wood carving and enjoyed taking classes and getting to know like-minded people through the Prairie Woodcarvers group.  He was also on the Alexandria Village Cooperative Board of Directors.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, half-sister Gloria (John) Norton, brother Ray Smith, sisters Mary T. Smith, Gladys (Richard) Petersen, Rose (Roland) Cuzick, and Edna (Walter) Bailey. 

Bill is survived by his wife, Mary, son David Smith and his wife Chrissie, daughter Kim Smith and her husband Ed Springman, grandchildren Alecia (Jeff) Miller, Ashley (CJ) White, Madalyn Smith, and Justin Smith, six great-grandchildren, three “bonus” grandchildren – Alex, Mackenzie and Jacob Springman, plus numerous nieces & nephews.  He will be remembered for his quick wit, sense of humor, dedication to his family, DIY skills, and overall goodness. 

Anderson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements for Bill.