Father Bill Smith

Father William Smith, born in Chicago, Ill., Oct. 27, 1921, was ordained to the priesthood in 1947 and took his perpetual oath to Glenmary in 1951. He now resides as a senior member in Glenmary's mission in Metter, Ga.              

In his late seventies, Father Bill took up the study of Spanish in order to be of service to the Hispanics in the mission communities in South Georgia. From his home base in Metter, he assists with sacramental ministry for both Spanish- and English-speaking communities in Glenmary's Metter and Swainsboro missions.

Father Bill's long career as a home missioner includes serving as pastor of missions based in West Union, Ohio; McRae, Ga.; New Bloomfield, Penn.; Coalgate, Okla.,, and Claxton, Ga. He also served on Glenmary's Executive Council from 1953-1965 and was the director of the Glenmary brothers program in the 1960s.

From 1988 to 1993 his assignment was "evangelization with the black community" in South Georgia. He assumed senior member status in 1993.