Wyoming Obituary:  William (Bill) Smith

William (Bill) Burns Smith, born in 1965 a fifth generation native of Cheyenne passed on September 19th from cancer.

October 16, 20223 min read

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William (Bill) Burns Smith, born in 1965 a fifth generation native of Cheyenne passed on September 19th from cancer.  Bill was one of seven children, the youngest son of the former Clark and Ann Dinneen Smith. 

His brother, Paul, sisters, Annie & Amy and their husbands Edward Jackson and Scott Meier and dear friend, Jeff Hickman along with visits and calls from many cousins and prayers from Father John Murray all spent the last days and hours with him reminiscing of family and his life.  

Bill was proud of his middle name, Burns because his father, Clark was a descendant of the Scottish Poet Robert Burns.  Bill had many adventures working with his father in several businesses.  

The family moved to Casper on Bill’s first Birthday then New Mexico and California where as a boy Bill helped his Dad survey land in Pine Mountain Lake in California for Boise Cascade.  His entrepreneurship was sparked.  

A move back to Cheyenne where Bill flourished in East High in the Honor Society and playing trombone in the marching band. He gained a love of camping and nature with the Boy Scouts and earned his Eagle Scout under the leadership of Mr. Madden and sponsorship of Greg Dykeman. 

Bill worked weekends in the family business setting up auctions for Clark Smith and Ann Smith Real Estate and Auction Co. 

He graduated from the University of Wyoming majoring in business. Later his parents brought the first Century 21 franchise into Wyoming where he took care of office operation and handled all real estate promotion.  

He learned contracts under the business finesse of his Mom who was the broker. Then Bill took on the entrepreneurship he learned from his Dad and spear headed Auto Pawn as well as the running of the operations of American Safari RV business. He traveled the states working with his Dad negotiating and putting together large equipment and land auctions and IRS sales.  

Bill grew up with his dear neighborhood friends, Jimmy Orr and Scott Hickman and shared memories of their childhood together in his last days as well as his deceased oldest Brother, Clark who taught him the spirit and joy of life. 

He loved Christmas with his Murray cousins at Peppermint City, Midnight Mass and visiting his Aunt and Uncle Bill and Marietta Dinneen. 

Bill honored and respected his parents and family and loved Cheyenne.  Thanks for being our brother!! We love you!  

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