William W. Smith

William W. Smith, 92, on September 4, 2008, died after a long life and a brief illness, leaving behind his wife of 66 years, Margaret Louise (Fassino) Smith. For the last 60 years, the Smiths have made their home on Oak Street in Wakefield, where Mr. Smith operated a sheet metal business and in his semi-retirement, did ornamental blacksmithing. Mr. Smith had a keen appreciation for traditional crafts, especially the metal trades. He was a volunteer at the South County Museum in Narragansett, where he started a blacksmith shop and demonstrated how the smith made tools, hardware and implements for everyday living. He was a member of the Artist Blacksmith's Association of North America, the New England Blacksmith Association and the NEBA’s "Southern Gang." Born William Wescott Smith in Narragansett, he was the son of William Hamilton and Mary (Flaherty) Smith. He was raised in Narragansett and in Newport, where he graduated from Rogers High School. During World War II, he served in the U.S. Navy as an aviation metalsmith, repairing airplanes in the Pacific Theater. After the war, he worked as a metalsmith in Boston and at Quonset Point, until starting his own sheet metal business in 1953. Mr. Smith was a parishioner of St. Francis of Assisi Church in Wakefield. In addition to his involvement with the South County Museum, he was a member for many years of the South Kingstown Lions Club and served as the club’s president in 1975 and 1976. In addition to his wife, he leaves his sister Mary Burkinshaw of Newport; his son David and daughter-in-law Rosemary Smith of Narragansett; his daughter Teresa and son-in-law Jeffrey West of Natick, Massachusetts; six grandchildren and two great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by three children: Elizabeth, William and Mark. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 AM, Monday, September 8, at St. Francis of Assisi Church, 114 High Street, Wakefield. Burial will follow in St. Francis Cemetery, Peace Dale. Calling hours are from 3 -6 PM on Sunday, September 7 at the Avery-Storti Funeral Home, 88 Columbia Street, Wakefield. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations in Bill’s memory to the South County Museum, P.O. Box 709, Narragansett, RI 02882 or South County Habitat for Humanity, 1555 Shannock Road, PO Box 68, Shannock, RI 02875.