William O’Neal Smeltzer  (Age 95)

Longtime resident of Silver Spring, passed peacefully in his home in Woodbury, MN on Saturday, August 18, 2018. Bill was always ready with a smile and his tools to fix whatever needed fixing, even things that might have been beyond repair. With his quiet strength, his keen sense of humor and his big heart, Bill made all who knew him feel better for having shared time with him. He proudly served in the Navy during WWII on the escort destroyer, USS Keith DE 241, where he forged friendships that lasted throughout life. He later worked for and retired from IBM after a 25 year career as a customer engineer.

He would say his best accomplishments were caring for his family and friends. Bill was the beloved husband of Dorothy Robertson Smeltzer; father of John Cooke Smeltzer; son of the late John Smeltzer and Anna Porter Crapster Smeltzer; brother of the late Mary Blanche Hayden, John Crapster Smeltzer, Henry Wirt Smeltzer, and George Swopes Smeltzer. Bill was an original baptized member of the Church of the Ascension, belonging his entire life. Relatives and friends may call at Episcopal Church of the Ascension, 633 Sligo Avenue, Silver Spring, MD, 20910, on Saturday, August 25, beginning at 10 a.m. where funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Interment Rockville Cemetery following. Memorial contributions may be made to The Church of the Ascension at the address listed above.