Rochester, NH

William O. Smith, 74 years old, passed away on September 15, 2015 at his home in Rochester, NH.

He was born on November 20, 1940 in Farmington, NH to Barbara (Hoage) Smith and Maxwell Smith.

William grew up in Farmington, NH and graduated from Farmington High School in 1958. After high school he enlisted in the United States Naval Submarine Service as a sonar technician. William was a crew member aboard the USS Andrew Jackson SSBN 619, in November of 1963, when they successfully demonstrated the launch of the Polaris A-2 Ballistic Missile for President John F. Kennedy. His Naval career also included crewing on the USS Haddock SSN 621, the USS Hammerhead SSN 663 and several other submarines. William left the Navy after serving his country for 17 years and achieving the rank of Chief. He later became a safety inspector for several military installations including Cutler Naval Station and South Weymouth Naval Air Station.

William enjoyed woodworking, gardening, cooking, training his hound dogs and spending time with his family.

William married Elizabeth A. Wood in 1961 in Brentwood, NH. They were happily married for 54 years.

William was preceded in death by his parents Maxwell and Barbara Smith.

In addition to his wife, Elizabeth, William is survived by his sister, Marilyn (Smith) Raymond of Farmington, NH; his son, Scott Smith of Dover, NH; his son, William A. Smith of Show Low, AZ; his daughter, Johnna (Smith) Fredrickson and her husband David Fredrickson of Wareham, MA; his daughter, Charna (Smith) Aversa of New Durham, NH; along with 5 grandchildren, 2 great-grandchildren and 3 nieces.

A funeral service will be held at Peaslee Funeral Home, 24 Central Street, Farmington, NH at 11:00am on September 18th, 2015. A visitation will be held just prior to the funeral service, beginning at 10:00am. Burial will follow at Pine Grove Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to Cocheco Valley Humane Society, 262 County Farm Road, Dover, NH, 03820.