Bill was born in Bristol, VA. Shortly thereafter the family moved to Durham, NC.His father was Harry H. Smith and his mother was Ida McLean Smith. His step-mother was Ann Laxton Smith. Bill's beloved sister Rebecca Smith Neighborgall has always been his strongest supporter to which he was eternally grateful. His step-sisters were Catherine C. Boyd and Charlotte C. Satterwhite. Bill's brother, C. Edward Smith, predeceased him.

Bill was privileged to precipitate in parenting four step children and five adopted children with his former wife Ladele Bernice Raley. He is especially grateful to his step-sons Cameron W. Cole, MD and Mark N. Cole as they thought of and treated him as a father. His daughter, Nicole Smith Willis, was especially kind to him. He was very proud of his niece, Kellie N. Austin, and nephew, Jason B. Neighborgall.

Bill graduated from Northern HS in 1965 and graduated from Campbell College in Buies Creek, NC with a BS in Social Science February 6, 1970. Basketball being his favorite sport Bill played basketball at Northern and Campbell. While playing for Northern he was first team All Conference his junior and senior years and was his team's MVP and high scorer for those two years. He was the cocaptian his Senior year. He broke the single game scoring record while at Northern. For his playing time at Campbell he was his team's MVP and high scorer. Bill was most proud of his teammate's support and recognition.

He entered the financial services industry February 16, 1970 serving 53 years. He became a Regional Sales Director with Midland National Life Insurance Company in 1982. With a territory of half of the State, that had very little production, he became a Regional Vice President because of his Region's production. From the American College of Financial Services in Bryn Mawr, PA, Bill became a Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) October 15, 1988 and Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC) October 23, 1990. He also had his Series 7 Securities license. In 1990 he became a Life Underwriter Training Council Fellow (LUTCF). For thirteen years Bill taught LUTC courses. He was President of Triangle Association of Life Underwriters 1994-1995 and President of the Raleigh-Durham Chapter of the Society of CLU and ChFC 1996-1997. He was Underwriter of the Year of the Triangle Association of Life Underwriters 1996.

Besides his volunteer service to his industry he did extensive service for his Church. Bill was active in his community by volunteering with the Urban Ministry of Durham and tutoring elementary children in the Durham Public Schools.

The many physicians and staff at Duke Medical Center have his gratitude for their care both physically and mentally.