William M. "Bill" "Pap" Smith

            William Murray “Bill” “Pap” Smith, 96 of Altoona died Friday morning February 18, 2022, at his residence surrounded by his loving family.

            He was born March 5, 1925, in Tyrone a son of the late William C. and Anna E. (Murray) Smith. He was twice married, first to Sara E. Swanger who preceded him in death in 2003, then on May 1, 2008, in Gainesboro, VA to Miriam Irene (Hoffman) Kempf who preceded him in death on December 25, 2019.

            Surviving are four children, daughter Muriel Toth; son William H. Smith (Sue); daughter Kathy Sprankle (Rick); daughter Cindy Wertz (Don); stepdaughter, Deb Krist; nine grandchildren: Michael Toth (Teresa), Will Smith (Mikki), Justin Smith (Julie), Hollie Yoder (Floyd), Ben Sprankle, Amy DelCastillo, Donny Wertz (Kaitlyn), Tyler Wertz (Samantha), and Erica Wertz; sixteen great grandchildren; and numerous extended family members and friends.

            Bill was preceded in death by three sisters, Leona VanScoyoc, Evelyn Mae Beamer, and Geraldine Kines.

            Mr. Smith was a member of Wehnwood United Methodist Church for over 65 years.

            He was a U.S. Navy veteran attaining the rank of Chief Boatswain’s Mate.

He retired from the marshaling department of PPG Industries in 1990 following twenty-five years’ service. He then served as a caretaker of Rose Hill Cemetery for over twenty years.

Bill enjoyed hunting and fishing.

He was a member of the following organizations: American Legion; Horseshoe Seniors Dance Club; Golden Nuggets Dance Club; Buckrub Hunting Club; and a life member of the Bavarian Aid Society.

Friends will be received from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., Monday, February 21, 2022, at Myers-Somers Funeral Home Inc, 501 Sixth Avenue, Altoona and from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Tuesday February 22, 2022, at Wehnwood United Methodist Church, 2511 Juniata Gap Road, Altoona, where a funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Evelyn Madison officiating, followed by military honors. Interment will be made at Rose Hill Cemetery, Altoona.

In lieu of flowers, Bill’s family suggests memorial donations to Blair/Clearfield Association for the Blind, 300 Fifth Avenue, Altoona, PA 16602 or to Hollidaysburg Veterans Home, 500 Municipal Drive, Duncansville, PA 16635.    

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of William M. "Bill" "Pap" Smith, please visit our floral store.