William A. Smith 1935-2025

Billy was born March 10, 1935, in Canton, the son of Roy and Martha Chambers Smith.

A resident of Niles most of his life, Billy graduated from Niles McKinley High School, Class of 1953, and attended Youngstown College, studying communications.

Billy served his country in the U.S. Army.

He called himself a “renaissance man” in that he had many work and life experiences in many different fields. His proudest accomplishment was his career in labor. He always said that his parents’ affiliation with the Salvation Army taught him a real sense of altruism that drove him throughout his career as a union organizer and national negotiator, for which he is still very highly regarded. His crowning achievement was in becoming a certified arbitrator with the American Arbitration Association on labor and construction. He also was an arbitrator with the Better Business Bureau for automobile Lemon Laws.

Upon retirement, he shifted his focus to music. He started piano lessons at 60 years old and became an accomplished keyboard player, entertaining many and backing up a variety of singers and dancers. He also performed at several dances. He was a member of the Stephen Foster Chapter Chorus of SPEBSQSA and was “Barbershopper of the Year” in 1998. Billy was a Scrappers booster and a Browns booster.

Billy is survived by his wife, Rhonda; two daughters, Andrea Newmeyer (husband, Craig) of Howell, Michigan, and Courtney Greer (husband, Scott) of Uniontown; two special grandchildren, Laurence and Connor; and one sister, Jean Pascale (husband, Pietro) of Pulaski, Pa. He will also be missed by his friend, Shirley Ann Wittenauer, and several nieces and nephews, among others.

He was preceded in death by his brothers, Donald, Lester and Joseph; and a sister, Ann Wright. A memorial service will be 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025, at Staton-Borowski Funeral Home, where friends may call 10 to 11 a.m.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt appreciation to Buckeye Hospice and Shepherd of the Valley Howland, for the care and compassion shown throughout this difficult time.

In lieu of flowers, monetary contributions may be made to Buckeye Hospice and Palliative Care, 3379 S. Main St., Suite A&B, Mineral Ridge, OH 44440.

Arrangements are entrusted to the Staton-Borowski Funeral Home, 962 North Road NE, Warren, OH 44483, 330-394-6200. Dedicated to serving your loved ones. This obituary may be viewed and condolences sent to www.statonborowskifuneralhome.com.

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