Bill Smith

Bill Smith, age 84, of London, Kentucky passed away peacefully on Monday, February 26, 2024. He leaves behind his loving wife of 63 years, Janet Higgins Smith; three children, Timothy Smith & wife Cathy; Susan Carpenter & husband Mark, Shannon Knight & husband Travis, all of London KY; one sister, Virginia “Jenny” Jones & husband Monroe; seven grandchildren, Amanda Mason & husband Phillip, Lauren Baker & husband Ricky, Karen Jones & husband John, Tate Knight & wife Morgan, Gage Knight, Laura Beth Knight, Ashley Sizemore & husband Travis; thirteen great grandchildren, Luca, Liam, Remi, Emma, Zophie, Simi, Kyler, Lilah, Blaine, Gunner, Brooklyn, Leila, baby Elise due in May; plus a host of other family and friends to mourn his passing. He was preceded in death by his parents, James D. and Lena Larkey Smith; six siblings, Edith Huff, J. D. Smith, Harry Smith, George Smith, Eugene Smith, Wandella Shackelford; and by great grandbaby Knight. Bill was a devoted servant of the Lord, and he exemplified the qualities of compassion, empathy, and selflessness. His words of wisdom and acts of kindness were a source of comfort and inspiration to many, and his presence radiated the light of God's love. Bill was a long-time, faithful member of Faith Assembly of God, where he served on the Board and in many other ministries. Bill was not only a spiritual leader but also a loving husband, father, and friend. He cherished his family deeply and found great joy in spending time with his loved ones. His wisdom, humor, and unwavering faith were a source of strength and guidance for all who knew him, and his memory will be forever cherished in the hearts of those he leaves behind. Bill always strived to better his community – the community he proudly loved. He spent his entire career in service with this goal in mind, taking every possible step in the right direction to improve the quality of life for his fellow Laurel Countians. Bill’s life of service began with his time serving in the United States Army where he obtained the rank of Sergeant. The award-winning EMS pioneer began his influential career in 1977, completing all required EMT training. After the local funeral homes made the decision to terminate ambulance operation, the need for an ambulance service grew. Bill, along with his wife Janet, were led to purchase the ambulance service at that time, eagerly calling on their family to assist them with the phone and police scanner, promptly serving the community with emergency transportation. By 1986, Laurel County’s population had increased significantly. This prompted Bill to realize the need to initiate an upgrade to the ambulance service with Advanced Life Support. This became the first ALS service in Southeastern Kentucky. In 1978 Bill was also responsible for the merging of House Funeral Home with Rawlings Funeral Home which is now House-Rawlings Funeral Home. After serving as a patrolman for the City of London for 10 years, Bill was appointed to the position of Chief of Police which he held for over 8 years. During his tenure, Bill was an integral part of many programs and advancements in his field. In 1979, he began plans for a central dispatch system that evolved only 5 years later into the current 911 service. In 1989, he initiated the D.A.R.E. program in Laurel County Schools, providing a valuable education in drug resistance. Bill has since received numerous awards and accolades, including an EMS Special Recognition Award. This honor was in recognition of his extraordinary contribution in his field to the citizens of the Commonwealth of Kentucky. He has also been instrumental in the development of projects and policies while serving on the London City Council. Funeral services for Bill Smith will be held on Thursday, February 29, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. at Faith Assembly of God Church in London, Kentucky with Rev. Greg Ables and Pastor Rodney Goodlett officiating. Burial will follow at Bray Cemetery in London, KY. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, February 28, 2024 beginning at 6:00 p.m. also at the church. The family has entrusted House-Rawlings Funeral Home with the arrangements.

Bill Smith

February 8, 1940 - February 26, 2024