William B. Smith, Iii

William B. Smith, III, 84, formerly of Cullum St., Meadville and a resident of the Meadville Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, died Sunday, May 1, 2011 at UPMC  Hamot, Erie.

He was born August 29, 1926 in Oil City, a son of William B. and Genevieve Brooks Smith, II.  He married Rachel Baker August 2, 1952 and she preceded him in death September 26, 1992.  He subsequently married Marie Gammello Tagliaferri September 10, 1994.

Bill was a 1944 graduate of Oil City High School and attended Tri-State College, Angola, IN.  He was a Veteran of World War II, serving in the U.S. Army Air Corps.  He was employed by the PA Dept. of Transportation as an inspector from 1950 to 1956, did private survey work from 1956 to 1964, and then worked for the PA Dept. of Transportation as a transportation manager from 1964 until his retirement in 1989.

A member of Woodcock United Methodist Church, Bill was a member and Past Master of Crawford Masonic Lodge #234, Past Most Exulted High Priest of Solomon Royal Arch #191, Past Thrice Illustrious Commander of Timothy Alden Council #60, and Past Commander of Northwestern Commandry #25 Knights Templar.

Survivors, in addition to his wife Marie, include three step-daughters, Sondra L. Fitch and her husband William of Cambridge Springs, Toni J. Daughenbaugh and her husband Ronald of Hudson, FL, and Marita Kaminski and her husband John of Austintown, OH; two stepsons, Thomas G. Kulczycke and his wife Susie of Chapel Hill, FL and Paul Tagliaferri and his wife Karen of Cranberry Township; three sisters, Shirley Rensel and her husband Jack of Ogden, UT, Beverly Culbertson and her husband Jack of San Jose, CA, and Marilyn Thomas and her husband Harold of President; a brother, Michael Smith of Oil City; thirteen step-grandchildren; numerous step-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents and first wife, he was preceded in death by a sister, Phyllis Roland.

Calling hours will be Wednesday from 3:00 to 4:45 p.m. at the Robert W. Waid Funeral Home, 581 Chestnut St., Meadville with a Masonic service at 4:45 p.m.

The funeral and committal service will be Wednesday at 5:00 p.m. at the funeral home with the Rev. Audrey Lovewell, Pastor of Woodcock United Methodist Church, officiating.

Interment will be in Venango Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Crawford Masonic Lodge #234, c/o Rodger Nydes, 17112 Parkview Dr., Meadville, PA 16335.

Share your memories and condolences at waidfuneralhome.net.