William Alexander Smith III

William A. Smith, III, 69, architect, artist, beloved husband, father and grandfather, passed away peacefully at home on the morning of April 27 after an eight month battle with cancer. He was surrounded by love and faith, and held tightly by his family. Born in Pittsburgh on December 1, 1943, Bill earned his BA in Architecture from Carnegie Mellon University. After college, he joined the United States Navy and attended Officer Candidate School. It was during this time, on a weekend visit from Virginia Beach, that he discovered Annapolis. Bill moved to Annapolis in 1970, and it quickly became his perfect home. He found immense beauty in the bay and it influenced every aspect of his life—personally, professionally, and artistically. He loved the water, particularly the ocean, and would be renewed with every breath of salt air. He swam regardless of the weather, and won every sandcastle contest he ever entered. He was an artist. Creative to his core, Bill spent his life developing his art. Whether it was at his drafting table, or designing sets for his treasured Children’s Theatre of Annapolis, or painting quietly along the shores of the Chesapeake, Bill’s curiosity and creativity never ebbed. In 2003, the Cultural Arts Foundation of Anne Arundel County presented him with the Annie Award for his dedication and patronage. Anyone who has seen a youth theater production in Annapolis in the past 25 years has witnessed his devotion live, on-stage in the sets. He had a passion for life, found joy in the ridiculous, and approached everyone he met and everything he did with a kind, honest, and loving heart. He raised six great kids, who are raising 13 amazing grandchildren. His legacy is strong and full of love. He is survived by his loving wife, Kathleen; his children, Jennifer and Ken Harris, Holly and Jim Mirenda, Tara and Brad Segree, Bridget and Andy Claxton, Katy and Ed Stratchko, and Bill Smith, IV; his grandchildren, who loved him thoroughly, Reilly, Drew, Noe, Teddy, Clare, Malia, Sofia, Tucker, Allana, Liam, Brittany, Gigi, and Miele; his brothers, Jim, Chris, and Pete; and his sister, Pam Sellers. Bill was pre-deceased by his parents, William and Sally Smith, Jr., of Pittsburgh. Services will be held at St. Andrew by the Bay Catholic Church (College Parkway) on Wednesday, May 1, at 11 a.m. A celebration of Bill’s life will follow at the Children’s Theatre of Annapolis (1161 Bay Head Road). In lieu of flowers, contributions in Bill’s memory may be sent to CTA (childrenstheatreofannapolis.com).

William Alexander Smith III

December 1, 1943 - April 27, 2013