William J. Smith, Gunnery Sgt. USMC Ret. passed November 9, 2016 at Hospice of Marion County, Legacy House in Ocala, FL.
In 1944, at the age of seventeen, he joined the Merchant Marines where he served in the South Pacific on troop and transport ships. In March, 1945, he enlisted in the Marine Corps which would result in twenty four years of active duty service retiring in 1975. He served in WW2 and was with the first group of Marines to embark on a clean up mission following the second atomic bomb drop on Nagasaki. Bill also served his country during the Korean Conflict and had two tours in Vietnam before retiring in 1970 at Camp Lejuene, NC. He earned many medals, honors and letters of commendation during his years of service.
Having lived in North Carolina for over thirty years, he and his wife retired to Ocala. He has been married to Carol Bigley Smith for almost fifty years and they have a daughter, Susan S. Cameron of Ocala. He is also survived by his beloved black poodle grand-dog, GiGi and grand-cat, Hunter.
An inurnment service will be held with full military honors at a National Cemetery or State Cemetery at the family’s discretion.
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