WILLIAM J. SMITH

'When Great Trees Fall' by Maya Angelou When great trees fall, rocks on distant hills shudder, lions hunker down in tall grasses, and even elephants lumber after safety. When great trees fall in forests, small things recoil into silence, their senses eroded beyond fear. When great souls die, the air around us becomes light, rare, sterile. We breathe, briefly. Our eyes, briefly, see with a hurtful clarity. Our memory, suddenly sharpened, examines, gnaws on kind words unsaid, promised...

I cannot believe it has been nine years since you gained your wings. I will never forget the precious moments we shared just a couple of days before you transitioned. I have always regretted that the pictures of you, me, and Alois at Mt. Pleasant disappeared years ago. Keep resting in Heavenly Peace, my friend. Elder Leander Williams

I miss you willy. You were a good friend. Gary Overstreet

Still and always missing you dear friend...

As time goes by I think of you often with very fond memories.

Dear Ole Dad, We love you and think of you always. My children are so glad to have known you. As Niki says, it is so touching to see these tributes from everyone whose lives you touched. This is an old picture from when I was - in college? Thank you for being my father. Miss you, Daddy. Love, Dani

I am so touched to see that my father has not been forgotten and is still beloved. Thank you for sharing your wonderful memories and thoughts of him. it makes me happy to know how many lives he touched and blessed over the course of his own. I can still see his smile and hear his deep and wonderful laughter. I admired so much how he made friends so easily and how he seemed to know everyone and everyone seemed to know him. Still miss him and can't believe it's already been 8 years. So blessed...

oh how we miss you Willie, but I know you're in heaven looking down on all of us.

My dear friend/brother it is hard to believe that it has been 8 years since you gained your wings. I will never forget learning how to milk cows on your farm when we were kids. We grew up at Mt. Pleasant... You, me, and Alois. He and I are still as close as the three of us were. May you continue to soar with the angels. We will see each other again in Paradise. Bones