William Edward Smith

With profound sadness we announce the passing of William Edward "Bill" Smith, a loving, kind man. He left us peacefully on Friday, April 28 th at Regions Hospital in Saint Paul, Minnesota with his wife Diane and son Aaron by his side.

William Edward Smith of Eagan, MN, was born January 23, 1936 in Waterloo, Iowa. He lived with his parents, Eugene and Elizabeth Smith until he went school in Dubuque and then into the United States Air Force. During his service he was stationed in Germany which was a place he grew fond of and spoke about for many years. He graduated from the University of Northern Iowa with an undergraduate degree in Art Education and received his Master of Fine Arts from Mills College in Oakland, California.

Bill was a professor of fine arts at the College of Saint Benedict and taught art at Golden Valley High School and the Pine River and Pequot Lakes School District. His pottery work from early in his career has been included in national collections and exhibitions. In his retirement years he worked for the Minnesota Historical Society as a tour guide at the Minnesota State Capitol. He loved the art and architecture of the capitol and especially enjoyed it when school children came for his tours.

Beloved husband, father, brother-in-law, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle and friend to many. He had a great sense of humor, was a good storyteller and a patient, sweet man. Bill enjoyed good food, wine, travel and being with family, friends and his much-adored dog, Stella. He especially enjoyed the water and liked swimming, sailing, fishing and boating - he was always at peace near the water.

Bill is survived by his wife, Diane; children, Sheila (Matt) Kost, Shaun Smith, Aaron (Anne) Smith and step-son Joshua Harris. Grandchildren Laura (Kyle) Gearman; Porter, Isla, Soren, Mathia and Bosco Jacobson; Abbey, Amelia and Archer Smith and great-grandchildren Wesley and Clara Gearman. Bill is preceded in death by his parents: Eugene and Elizabeth Smith and his first wife, Mary Porter Smith.

A memorial service will be held at The House of Hope Presbyterian Church where Diane and Bill were members. The service is on Wednesday, May 17 2023 at 1pm at The House of Hope Presbyterian Church in Saint Paul, Minnesota with a reception to follow.

Memorial Contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, The House of Hope Presbyterian Church or the Minnesota Historical Society.

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