While William H. Smith could count himself among the alumni of Harvard Law School, law was only one part of his rich and varied life. He chased submarines during World War II and received the Legion of Merit before retiring as a lieutenant commander. As the director of the News Bureau for his alma mater, he founded the University of Arizona Press. He served as the leader of many Tucson business, cultural, and community organizations, but still found time to indulge his love for woodcarving.

The Tucson tells us that he passed away on May 4, 2006.