William Allan Smith Obituary

It is with great sadness that we announce the death of William Allan Smith (Matthews, North Carolina), who passed away on March 9, 2026, at the age of 77, leaving to mourn family and friends. Family and friends are welcome to leave their condolences on this memorial page and share them with the family.

As William departs from this earthly realm, his essence lingers — a whisper on the wind, a ripple on the water — a testament to the enduring power of love to transcend the boundaries of life and death. Though William may no longer walk beside us, his spirit lives on in the memories and the legacy William leaves behind.

He was predeceased by: his parents, Alexander Smith and Mary Smith; and his brothers, Henry and Robert. He is survived by: his wife Deborah; his daughters, Shannon Marie Hale (Dan) and Erin Smith Wright (Marshall); and his grandchildren, Allie and Wolf Wright.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that those who wish to honor Bill do so by supporting his favorite independent journalism source, NPR.