Rev. William "Bill" Smith

In Loving Memory
Rev. William "Bill" Smith
August 2, 1925 - July 23, 2021

“This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be GLAD in it!”  Psalm 118:24
(Opening words used frequently by Pastor Smith, both in church and in his home.)

VISITATION
Wednesday, July 28, 2021
4:00 - 7:00 P.M.
Zion Lutheran Church 
Ruthven, Iowa

SERVICE
Thursday, July 29, 2021
11:00 A.M.
Zion Lutheran Church
Ruthven, Iowa

CLERGY
Rev. Eric Patten

INTERMENT
Crown Hill Cemetery
Ruthven, Iowa

William Albert Smith, son of Benjamin Franklin Smith and Stella (Walters) Hobbs, was born August 2, 1925 in Mankato, Minnesota. After high school, Bill attended Carleton College in Northfield, MN, disrupting his studies to serve in the army in Europe towards the end of WWII.  As a college senior, Bill met an incoming freshman from New Jersey, Carolyn Mehrhof, and saw in her a life partner.  They married on August 11, 1951.  Deciding on the ministry, Bill graduated from Carleton and continued studies at Luther Seminary in St. Paul. After an internship in Eugene, Oregon, Pastor Bill and Lyn with two small boys accepted a missionary assignment through the Lutheran church in Tanzania. For 10 years, Pastor Smith taught pastoral education and helped establish churches, while Lyn managed the domestic side of their growing family.  Returning to the U.S. in 1964, Pastor Smith and Lyn with now six children accepted a call to Siloam Lutheran church in Paulina, Iowa. Ministry to young people was his delight, taking the youth group to Canada for camping retreats each summer – a chance to marvel at God’s creation, and deepen their spiritual journey.  (A group of them, now in their 60s, made a Smith home visit last month.)  In 1969 the family moved to Houston, Texas for Pastor Smith to train in hospital chaplaincy for one year.   After this, the family returned to Iowa to serve at St. James Lutheran Church in Mason City, for another 5 years.  Pastor Smith’s next call was to serve both Zion Lutheran and Lost Island Lutheran churches in Ruthven, Iowa, where he served until retirement.  In retirement, Pastor Smith happily accepted his call as itinerant pastor to several area churches, while enjoying a cabin on Lost Island Lake.  Many grandchildren learned to fish, swim, and sail from these grandparents.  In later years, Pastor Bill and Lyn spent half of their year in Ruthven, and the winter months in Americus, Georgia, to be near daughter Susie and her family. There, they were active members of Americus Mennonite Fellowship, hosting Bible studies and youth fellowship in their home.

Pastor Smith, 95, passed away on Friday, July 23, 2021, at Spencer Hospital, with family at his side.  He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, B.F. Smith and George Smith, and a grandson, Peter Nordwall.  He is survived by his wife, Carolyn, sons: Scott (Heidi) Smith, Brent Smith, Greg (Renae) Smith; and daughters: Rebecca (Kristopher) Hartwig, Susie (Don) Nordwall, and Mary (John) Faulstich.  Grandchildren living coast to coast and abroad, include Beret, Kari, Scott, Tiffany, Jill, Daniel, Jenny, Kirsten, Heidi, Nate, Johanna, Willy, Rachel, Michelle, and Louis.  Great grandchildren are 24. 

“Go, and be a Blessing!”
(Sending words from Pastor Smith)

Arrangements by Martin-Mattice Funeral Home