Friends, family honor lawman Smith
William R. Smith
July 7, 1942 - July 14, 2010
BY JESSIE BALMERT • Advocate Reporter • July 20, 2010
NEWARK -- When Bill Smith received his black belt, he also was given a saying to live his life by: "We are a result of your thoughts and actions."
His family, karate students and the countless people he helped as a sergeant with the Licking County Sheriff's Office are the results of his thoughts and actions.
Smith, 68, died Wednesday at Licking Memorial Hospital after having a sudden cardiac arrest. His life was celebrated by those who knew him Monday at the American Legion.
Smith worked at the Licking County Sheriff's Office for more than 23 years as a deputy and then a sergeant. He received awards for saving at least two lives: one who overdosed and Smith administered CPR, and the other a suicidal person with a shotgun who Smith stopped.
"All through his career, Bill maintained a great sense of humor," said Sheriff Randy Thorp, who reported to Smith when he started as a deputy.
Smith had said the people he grew up with either died, went to jail, became attorneys or cops, his son Chase Smith said. So Bill Smith became a cop, starting at the Hocking County Sheriff's Office.
"He had a dedication to law enforcement and a passion for physical fitness," Thorp said.
Smith often was running or cycling. His daughter, Chanda Coomer, found detailed lists of fitness regimes.
He focused on physical fitness before it became a priority in law enforcement, Thorp said. Smith had a yearly goal of running 1,000 miles and frequently hit it by September.
Family described Smith as a man of integrity and strong values. He abhorred smoking, often taking credit as the catalyst for Licking County's ban, son Dante Smith said.
A fifth-degree black belt karate champion, Sensei Bill Smith founded the Olympic Karate Club and ran it for more than 30 years. All his children attended karate classes, but only Dante has continued.
Former students from across the country commented on the Reed-Egan Funeral Home's guest book and his family has enjoyed reading their notes and memories.
A 1962 Newark High School graduate, Smith is survived by children Chance, Chase, Dante and Chanda, seven granddaughters and partner Melanie Mellars.
Donations made in Bill's name to the Owens Corning Fiberglas Credit Union will go toward a statue in his honor on the Licking County Bike Trail and a plaque at the sheriff's office.
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Jessie Balmert can be reached at (740) 328-8548 or jbalmert@newarkadvocate.com.
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