William Medearis Smith, a native of Fayetteville, was born on Jan. 29, 1948.

He died on Jan. 24, 2026, in Dedham, Massachusetts, where he was a longtime resident.

The son of Hugh Lauderdale Smith and Hilda Nichols Smith, he grew up and attended schools in Fayetteville.

Following high school, he graduated from Tennessee Tech near the top of his engineering class. While doing graduate work in materials science at MIT, he met and married Joyce Shirer, who was teaching in the Boston Public Schools. They shared a happy marriage of more than 50 years.

In 1977, Will earned his MBA from Harvard Business School. Over the course of his career, he served as engineer, materials scientist, businessman, high school and college instructor, and inventor.

He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings, Virginia Ann, Mary and Joe Nichols Smith.

His beloved wife, Joyce; sons, Hugh and Daniel; daughter, Meredith; as well as nieces, nephews and extended family, survive him.