William J. Smith Sr. 1976-2025

Bill was born Feb. 20, 1976, in Evergreen Park, Illinois, the son of David W. and Mary Ellen Rupp Smith, and moved to this area in 1985.

He was a 1994 graduate of Cardinal Mooney High School and attended Youngstown State University, graduating with a degree in electrical engineering.

Bill worked as a control engineer for DeMatic Co. in Brecksville for 13 years.

He had several interests and hobbies. He loved Legos and building computers. He enjoyed weekly walks in Mill Creek Park, Cuyahoga Cleveland Park or Yellow Creek Park. Bill also followed in the culinary skills of the Rupp family; he was especially proud of his chicken marsala and Italian wedding soup.

Bill loved music. He enjoyed attending Billy’s concerts. When he was younger, he enjoyed playing in a band, and he passed this love on to his children. When he was younger, he also loved woodworking; he did framework like his dad and remodeled his home while living there. Bill was very fond of traveling with his mom to the Caribbean, and they had a lot of fun on a trip they took to Germany. Bill often took homemade meals to Vivien at her workplace. The most important useful lesson he taught his children was to be a kind person to others.

Left to cherish Bill’s memory are his mother, Mary Ellen Smith; his children, daughter, Vivien Christina Smith, and son, William “Billy” Smith Jr.; and the kittens he so loved, Bruno, Fred and Reggie.

He was preceded in death by his father, David, who died on the same date as William, 36 years earlier.

Family and friends are invited to join the family for a memorial Mass at 11 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at Christ Our Savior Parish-St. Nicholas Church, Struthers, celebrated by the Rev. Thomas Kraszewski.

Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery.

The Smith family requests material tributes be given to Hope Lodge of Cleveland, 11432 Mayfield Road, Cleveland, OH 44106.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Edward J. Fox & Sons Funeral Home, 4700 Market St., Boardman. Family and friends may visit www.foxfuneralhome.org to view this obituary and to give condolences to the Smith family.

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