William A Smith

Bill was born on August 8, 1942 in Omaha, Nebraska to Dorothea J. Sudds (Bonge) and Willliam H. Sudds. He was later adopted by his stepfather, Richard I. Smith. He spent his early years in Omaha, later in his youth moving to Forest Park, Illinois and then Colorado Springs, Colorado. He attended Proviso High School in Forest Park and graduated from Palmer High School in 1960, the year it changed its name from Colorado Springs High School.

Bill enlisted in the United States Marine Corps upon graduation and served four years. He attended electronics repair school in ‘the Corps’ and later served as a squad leader in Communications Company, Headquarters Battalion, First Marine Division, FMF. He was discharged honorably in 1964.

Upon his discharge he worked for a short time for his stepfather in Colorado Springs, then ‘stumbled upon’ a job opportunity with a new-in-town electronics company, Hewlett-Packard. Bill worked for HP for the next 39 years, starting in the sheet metal shop and working his way through technical, management and human resources positions. He retired in 2003 and was, at that time, the Communications and Public Affairs Manager for Southern Colorado HP. A job he thoroughly loved, working for a company he thoroughly loved.

During that time he furthered his education, obtaining a BSEET (Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering Technology) degree through collaboration of a four year HP apprenticeship program and Colorado Technical University (then Colorado Technical College), a BSTM (Bachelor of Science in Technical Management) degree, Summa Cum Laude, from Regis University, and later, a pursuit of a MA in Organizational Psychology, also from Regis University.

Bill is survived by his wife of 32 years, Jean, and numerous friends throughout the United States.

Phone calls, cards and letters are appreciated. Please no gifts or flowers.