William Darrell “Bill” Smart, Sr., 92, of Havelock, N.C. died March 5, 2012
at CarolinaEast Medical Center. Bill was a World War II and Korean veteran. He was a naval aviator and served over 21 years with the Marine Corps retiring as a Major. During WWII, Bill was attached to VMSB-236 and participated in the Soloman Island
Campaign on Bouganville. He also operated from the Island of
Luzon in the Phillippines providing close air support to three U.S. Army Divisions. During one mission, he had to make a forced landing on a gorilla airstrip and was rescued the
following day. He was on Mindanao in the Phillippines when the war ended.
During the Korean War, Bill was shot down in North Korea and captured. A rescue helicopter made one pass over and he escaped and grasped the edge of the evacuation
litter and flew to safety.
After retiring from the Marine Corps, Bill attended East Carolina University. He had an accounting office in Havelock for over 30 years. He helped form the first Havelock Merchants Association, the Havelock
Chamber of Commerce and the Havelock Regional Development Corporation. He served as Trustee of the Library Board and was a member of the Havelock Board of Adjustments.
Bill was a member of St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church where he served
as treasurer for over 10 years and held other positions on the Vestry. He was a lifetime member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, VFW, MOAA, ROMEO, Havelock Chamber of Commerce and Civitan.
Bill was preceded in death by his
parents, two brothers, and one son.
He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Marjorie; one son, Bill, Jr.; one step son, Steven Koehler; three brothers; four grandchildren; three step grandchildren; one great-grandson and 10 step
great-grandchildren.
Memorial services will be held at 10 a.m. on March 12 at St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church, 11 East Main Street, Havelock,
N.C. 28532 or Community Home Care and Hospice, 1423 S. Glenburnie Road, New Bern, N.C. 28562.