William Lancaster Smith III

1923 - 2012

William Lancaster Smith III obituary, 1923-2012, Galveston, TX

BORN

1923

DIED

2012

FUNERAL HOME

William Smith Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Dec. 18, 2012.

William Lancaster "Lank" Smith, III passed away peacefully on Monday, December 17, 2012, in Dallas, Texas. He was born in Lebanon, Kentucky on June 14, 1923. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend. He attended high school in Lebanon, Kentucky at St. Augustine. He joined the U. S. Army Air Force and played tailback on the Third Air Force football team. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Notre Dame in 1946. He graduated from the University of Notre Dame Law School in 1950. While at Notre Dame, he played football as a defensive halfback under the coaching of Frank Leahy and was part of Notre Dame's legendary undefeated and national championship teams in 1946, 1947 and 1948. While in law school, he served as the coach of the Notre Dame Freshman football team. In 1950, he became the coach of the Jesuit High School football team in Dallas eventually guiding them to their first T.C.I.L. State Championship. He served as an Assistant District Attorney in Dallas from 1954 through 1957 and later became a partner in the law firm of Turner, White, Atwood, Meer & Francis. In 1961, he formed his own law firm which eventually became known as Smith, Smith & Smith, LLP. He spent decades practicing law with his sons in Dallas County. His love of Notre Dame and its football team never faded. He was voted Notre Dame Man of the Year, Dallas Club, in 1954. He was elected National President of the Notre Dame Alumni Association 1965 to 1967, then served seven years as a Board Member. He served as President of the N. D. Monogram Club 1986 through 1988 then served seventeen years on its Board. He served as President of the Dallas Citizens Council for Decent Literature, Vice-President of the Cincinnati National Citizens for Decent Literature and was cited by the National Conference of Christians and Jews as a speaker on brotherhood. His Catholic faith was always strong and manifested itself in his many charitable endeavors. He served as Diocesan President of the Council of Catholic Men and received the first Bishop Gorman Holy Trinity Medal Award. He was a regular announcer for the Texas Catholic TV News Program and a member of the Serra Club. He was a lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus and served as the Grand Knight of Council #799, 1958 – 1961. He sponsored the "Smith House" at Holy Angels Residential Facility in Shreveport, LA and created and endowed the Smith – Doheny Legal Ethics Award at Notre Dame Law School. Lank was preceded in death by his father and mother, William Lancaster Smith, Jr., and Dorothy Elinor Spalding Smith, his wife of forty-five years, Jacquelyn Hilbert Smith, his brother, Sam Spalding Smith and sister, Margaret Caroline Smith and his son, Glenn Thomas. Lank is survived by his sister, May La Motte Hoerter and husband Col. George Hoerter , his daughter, Sherry Skinner and husband Richard, his sons, Lancaster Smith IV, Scott Smith and wife Lisa, Terrence Smith, Michael Smith and wife Margie, Stephen Smith and wife Teresa, Patrick Smith and wife Shelley, Christopher Smith, Matthew Smith and Shane Smith, his grandchildren, William (Billy) Smith V, and wife Chantelle, Megan Smith Broussard and husband Branton, Katie Smith Jones and husband, Brent, Travis, Connor and Taylor Smith, Shane Smith and wife Lauren, Richard and Adam Skinner, Jacquelyn Skinner Compton and husband Mark, Barrett, Isabel and Madden Smith, Josh Smith and wife Lindsay, Jessica Smith-Salzinger and husband Stephan, Kimberly Smith, Neil, Emily and Ellen Smith, and great-grandchildren, Jack and Luke Adkins, Lane Broussard, Alice Smith, Boston and Britain Smith, Aubrey and Henson Compton. Rosary will be at Sparkman/Hillcrest Funeral Home, 7405 West Northwest Highway, Dallas, TX 75225 at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 20, 2012. A Memorial Mass will be held on Friday, December 21, 2012 at 3:00 p.m. at St. Rita Catholic Church, 12521 Inwood Road, Dallas, TX 75244, with Monsignor Milam Joseph presiding. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that gifts be made to Holy Angels Residential Facility, 10450 Ellerbe Road, Shreveport, LA 71106.

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April 26, 2013

Harvey Davis

It was a pleasure to have worked for Lank in the 1980s. He really kept me on my toes! My condolences to Scott and the rest of his family.

January 12, 2013

Dick and Luanne Ehr

About five or six years ago I was at evening Mass at Our Lady Star of the Sea Church in Port Isabel, TX. Since it was an unusually chilly day I was wearing my Notre Dame parka. After Mass a gentleman came up, introduced himself and asked if I'd played at ND.....

Lank and I became good friends; together with our Irish pastor Father Gerry Barrett we shared many ND football memories during the next few years...including Lank's punt return record at ND.

I had missed him the last winter or two...I'm glad that he had a peaceful ending to a long life of contributing to ND in so many ways...and while we were number 1!!
Our prayers will be with the family...
Dick Ehr, ND'54

January 4, 2013

Kay Herrity

I was so sorry to hear about Lank's passing. May God grant him eternal rest. I worked in the ND Alumni Office when he was putting together his collage on the "Greatest football team in Notre Dame's history." It was such a pleasure to talk with him as he would tell stories of his time at Notre Dame. He was such an avid fan of ND recruiting. Tried to keep him up to date and send him articles. He was right on the money when it came to picking the best players as is evident by our playing in the National Championship. I'm sure he'll be watching and hopefully praying for a favorable outcome! I had the pleasure of meeting some of his family members when they came in for a football game. Sherry Skinner is the one I remember. Really spoke well of his family. I know he will be missed, but you have to be comforted knowing that he was well loved.

December 31, 2012

Jacquelyn Compton

Posted by Jacquelyn Compton

December 31, 2012

Jacquelyn Compton

Posted by Jacquelyn Compton

December 31, 2012

Jacquelyn Compton

Posted by Jacquelyn Compton

December 31, 2012

Jacquelyn Compton

Posted by Jacquelyn Compton

December 31, 2012

Jacquelyn Compton

Posted by Jacquelyn Compton

December 31, 2012

Jacquelyn Compton

Posted by Jacquelyn Compton

December 31, 2012

Jacquelyn Compton

Posted by Jacquelyn Compton

December 30, 2012

Jeanie Knudtson

Dear Smith family,
I would like to extend my sympathies to all of you. A friend sent me Mr. Smiths obituary and highlighted his football career under coach Frank Leahy. Frank is/was my uncle. Sincerely,
Jeanie (Leahy) Knudtson

December 28, 2012

Marcia Mattingly

Just wanted to send my respects to all of you - met Cousin Lank in Dallas years ago. I am granddaughter of Joseph Marion Smith of Springfield, brother to Lank's father "Bill" Lancaster Smith II. Keep in touch with KY cousins, May Lamotte and George Hoerter. Bless you all -
Marcia Mattingly in San Antonio

December 26, 2012

Kerry Jones

Sorry to hear of your family's loss.

December 24, 2012

David Sigel

My grandmother, Mrs. Samuel (Frances) Schuhalter was a secretary for Mr. Smith and Mr. Lindgren in the 1960's and 1970's. She admired how Mr. and Mrs. Smith raised such a large family and she marveled at how Sherry stood her ground surrounded by brothers. Our family sends our sympathy to your family. David Sigel (Dallas)

December 23, 2012

Terry Heckel Lust

Dear Sherry, and all of the Smith Family, I know what a great man your dear dad was. Your precious mom and dad really did so much for me growing up, and I remember your whole family with great fondness and appreciation. My heart is with you all during this sad time. I wish I had known this in time to attend his funeral. Know that you are truly in my thoughts and prayers.
Sherry, sometime next year, please send me an email. I would love to reconnect with you.

Posted by Terry Heckel Lust

December 21, 2012

Alex Magro

As one of his players at Jesuit, Dallas, I was impressed and influenced by his deep passion for his faith, the game of football, and his strong committment to excellence in all endeavors. God will welcome such a fine gentleman with open arms.

December 21, 2012

He was my customer first and then a friend.

In 1993, when he learned my family's vacation in Galveston was canceled by the beach house owner we'd paid, Lank offered us free use of his family's South Pardre condo.

He was a great and unique man and I am blessed to have known him.

Larry Whitlock

December 20, 2012

Dezi Muse Rollins

Dear Smith Family,

I am so sorry for your loss. Please accept my condolences and know that your family is in our thoughts and prayers.

December 19, 2012

Jacquelyn Compton

Love you Grandpa! You were a great man and great grandfather and you will be missed. Henson and Aubrey did not get much time with you, but we have a lot of wonderful memories and pictures to share with them. All my love always, and tell Grandma hi for me! Miss you guys, but you are in a better place than us!!! ~ Jacquelyn Skinner Compton (your first born granddaughter)

Posted by Jacquelyn Compton

December 19, 2012

Gomer Brockway

Sorry for y'all's lost if y'all need anything let us know.

December 19, 2012

SHANE SMITH

dad.
i love you good morning dad.denny's gift card. 2013. drpepper.

happy new year. i am sorry

SHANE

Posted by SHANE SMITH

December 19, 2012

danny white

thinking of your family,our prayers are with you all.take care

December 19, 2012

richard slawson

STEVE, Sure am sorry to hear about Mr Smith....I know he was well thought of by the ones who knew him.

December 19, 2012

Margaret Creamer

My family and I send all our prayers to all of the family for the loss of a great person.

December 19, 2012

Margaret Creamer

December 19, 2012

Mollie Washburne

Dear Cousins, I hope you all have a peaceful holiday surrounded by memories of your father, who lived such a long and rich life and served his family, faith, and community so well. I appreciate you keeping my mom, May LaMotte, informed and know she is feeling sad about her brother's passing. This football picture of Uncle Lank was always displayed in his room at 315 East Main Street in Lebanon, and it is how I think of him. Blessings to you all,
Mollie Simms Hoerter Washburne

December 19, 2012

Rod & Rosann Kinkaid

Showing 1 - 27 of 27 results

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Funeral services provided by:

Sparkman/Hillcrest Funeral Home & Hillcrest Mausoleum & Memorial Park

7405 West Northwest Highway, Dallas, TX 75225

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