Kathleen, GA, formerly of Landing, NJ  Mr. William A Smith, 89, World War II Veteran, died on July 26, 2014 after a brief illness. He was born in Hamlet, NC, and was one of ten children, and graduated Hamlet High School Class of 1942, before entering the Navy. He served as quartermaster 2^nd class, promoted to acting chief aboard the USS Flaherty DE 135. The USS Flaherty was a member of the task group 22.3 which captured the U505 submarine which received the Presidential Unit Citation. He was a resident of Landing for 54 years prior to moving to Georgia in 2007. He retired in 1993, after working 42 years in the catering departments of the Algonquin, St. Moritz, and the Palace Hotels. He was a member of St. Andrew’s Greek Orthodox Church since 1963, member of the American Legion Post #245 for 45 years, Retired Destroyer Sailors Association (Tin Can Sailors) for 22 years and a long time member of the DESA. He built 2 houses for his family and worked on many renovations and projects on his children’s homes, a true jack of all trades. He loved reading, family vacations, the beach, golf, water sports and traveling. He always enjoyed a good conversation with family, friends, acquaintances and never met a stranger.

 He is survived by his wife Sophie of 69 years, sister Martha Pait, his loving children, Valerie and Luis Alvarez and Eileen and Stephen Smith, grandchildren; Dana Smith, Melissa Smith, Nicole Smith, William Smith, Alexandria Alvarez, and Michael Alvarez, great grandchildren; Ethan and Joshua, and many cousins, nieces, and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, Fannie Frances and John Benjamin Smith, Sr., sisters; Ruby Smith, Louise Hutchens, Edith Scott, and brothers; Joe, Ernest, Frank, Charlie, and John B Jr. His family and friends will miss his kind and helpful heart.

 Friends may visit at the Davis & Hepplewhite Funeral Home, 96 Main Street, Succasunna 973-584-7264 (davishepplewhitefh.com) on Monday from 4-8 pm. The Funeral Service will be held on Tuesday, 10 am, at St. Andrew’s Greek Orthodox Church in Randolph, with the interment to follow at the Succasunna Presbyterian Cemetery. Donations may be made in his name to the Wounded Warrior Project.