Class of 1961

Newark, Ohio

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Stephen John Bobot Jr.

July 25, 2002
 

Obituary

William R. Smith
July 7, 1942 - July 14, 2010

Services celebrating the life of William R. Smith, 68, of Newark will be held at the Social Hall of the American Legion, 85 S. 6th Street, Newark, beginning at 5:00 P.M. Monday, July 19, 2010. An informal Memorial Service will be held at 6:00 P.M. with Wes Humble officiating. Services will continue in the courtyard with a Color Guard presentation by the Licking County Sherriff’s Department, and conclude with a balloon release. Following, all are invited to join the family in the social hall for a reception. Anyone wishing to bring food to the reception can deliver it to the social hall at 4:30 P.M.

Mr. Smith, a 1962 Newark High School graduate, died at Licking Memorial Hospital on Wednesday, July 14, 2010. In accordance with his wishes he was an organ donor. He was born in Zanesville, Ohio on July 7, 1942 to the late Herbert E.W. and Bernice K. (Thompson) Smith.

Bill retired as Sergeant from the Licking County Sherriff’s Department in 2002. He began his career as a deputy with the Hocking County Sherriff Department. Over the years, Bill taught several police survival tactical courses, was a four time State Champion and an international Champion of the Police Olympics.

As a 5th degree black belt karate champion, Bill was the founder and operator of the Olympic Karate Club for over 30 years. He was a member of the United States Karate Association where he served as Past Assistant State Representative, was a National Points Champion, and was awarded National Coach of the Year. Bill was a tournament promoter for over nine years with the Land of Legend Karate Championship and served as their head referee and co-coordinated several tournaments throughout Ohio.

Bill is survived by his sons and daughter-in-law, Robert Chance Smith of Logan, William Chase Smith of Colorado Springs, Colorado, and Dante Champ and Erin Smith of Newark; his daughter and son-in-law, Chanda Leah and John Coomer of Sanford, North Carolina; his seven grandchildren, Aerial, Karleigh, Kassidy, Alanah, and Kiarah Smith, and Sierra and Mahayla Coomer; his life partner, Melanie Mellars of Newark; his brother and sister-in-law, Ronald Russell and Linda Smith of Thornville; his sister, Bonnie Jean Flowers of Heath; and several nieces and nephews.

The family requests that memorials be made in Bill’s name to the Owens Corning Fiberglas Credit Union. Proceeds will be used to erect a statue in his honor at the Licking County Bike Trail, as well as memorial plaque to be displayed at the Licking County Sherriff’s Office.

Reed-Egan Funeral Home, 141 Green Wave Drive is in charge of the arrangements. For an online guest book, please visit www.reedegan.com.

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Thomas Franklin Gough
April 17, 2010
Class 59

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