William Donaldson Smith

History

Childhood

William Donaldson Smith was born Oct. 12, 1923 in Melgund, Scotland, blond with blue eyes, the son of Robert Ramsey Smith, Sr. (1890-1971) and Bella Barron Smith (1894-1979). His father was born at Dunnichen, and was employed in America as a machine operator.

William's mother born in Marronch Bamff, Scotland and was raised in Aberdeen. As of 1979, she had a sister, Mrs. Jean B. Walker, in London, Eng. William O. Millar conducted her funeral.

Robert & Bella were married in Brechin on April 26, 1921, and emigrated via NYC on Dec. 19, 1925, and were living in Newport News, Virginia by 1927. William's siblings:

• Isabella "Ella" Mill Smith Graham (b. 1922 Melgund, Scot.), Chicago, IL +1971+; m. Curtis Earl Graham (b. 1923 Hankinson, N.D. - d. 1995 St. Petersburg, FL). Curtis and Ella lived in Wisconsin in their later years, and wintered in Florida. Curtis worked for USPS, and was also a Navy veteran of WWII. They were in fellowship with White Creek Congregational Church in Wisconsin Dells, and have a daughter Rebecca Cenin in Cashton, WI, and one grandson.

• Robert Ramsey Smith, Jr. (b. 1930 Newport News, VA - d. 2008 Radford, VA) lived from +1971 until his death in Radford. He owned WKEX radio station in Blacksburg for thirteen years, and was in radio for 55 years. He was in fellowship with the First Baptist Church in Radford where he served as a deacon and director of the junior high dept.

He was later at Blacksburg Baptist Church, singing in the choir and serving as an usher. m. Jean Wheeler Smith, married for 53 years. Two sons: Robert R. Smith III of Radford, and Edward A. Smith of Buena Vista.

Occupation

When William enlisted with the Navy, he was employed at the Newport News Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Company, where his father retired from.

Death

From the January 1945 issue of Light & Liberty: "Pvt. Wm. Donaldson Smith, Pharmacist's Mate 2nd Class, nephew of W.G. Smith, was killed in action presumably in the battle of the Philippines.  He was saved about eight years ago (in 1937) and received into the Newport News Assembly where he gave every evidence of the new birth.  He was a very devoted son and while in the Navy won the esteem of his comrades."

His parents moved to Hampton, Virginia by 1944, where they remained the rest of their lives, while in fellowship with Bethany Gospel Chapel in Newport News.

Sources

• Light & Liberty: January 1945
• Ancestry.com
• Findagrave