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A RESOLUTION adjourning the Senate in honor and loving memory of William 1
"Bill" Smith. 2
WHEREAS, William "Bill" Smith of London, Kentucky, was a devoted servant of 3
the Lord. As a longtime faithful member of Faith Assembly of God, Bill Smith 4
exemplified the qualities of compassion, empathy, and selflessness through his service on 5
the church board and other ministries; and 6
WHEREAS, Bill Smith began his life of service as a member of the United States 7
Army and obtained the rank of Sergeant; and 8
WHEREAS, Bill Smith was a patrolman for the City of London police department 9
for 10 years. He was appointed to the position of Chief of Police, and he served in that 10
capacity for over eight years. During his tenure on the police force, he initiated plans for 11
a central dispatch system, and within five years the system evolved into the current 911 12
service. In 1989, he initiated the D.A.R.E. program in the Laurel County school district 13
and provided valuable education in drug resistance to youth; and 14
WHEREAS, Bill Smith completed his EMT training in 1977. This significant step 15
propelled him further in his career as a dedicated public servant. In 1978, he was 16
responsible for the merging of the House Funeral Home with Rawlings Funeral Home, 17
now known as House-Rawlings Funeral Home. However, the funeral homes within 18
Laurel County decided to terminate ambulance operation during a time when the need for 19
an ambulance service was growing. Bill Smith and his wife, Janet, decided to utilize his 20
EMT training, and the couple purchased the ambulance service to accommodate the 21
medical transport needs of Laurel County; and 22
WHEREAS, since 1977, Bill Smith and his family have successfully operated 23
Ambulance Inc. Always thinking ahead, Bill Smith upgraded his ambulance service in 24
1986 with advanced life support. His company was the first to offer this within the 25
southeastern Kentucky region; and 26
WHEREAS, Bill Smith served on the London City Council and has been an 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 24 RS BR 2408
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instrumental figure in the development of many projects and policies within Laurel 1
County; and 2
WHEREAS, as President of Ambulance Inc., Bill Smith was a devoted leader, 3
public advocate, community figure, and role model for generations to come. He worked 4
tirelessly to improve emergency response systems, public health and safety, and the well-5
being of the Laurel County community. He was a guiding light of optimism and 6
motivation for all; and 7
WHEREAS, Bill Smith passed away on February 26, 2024, joining his loved ones 8
who preceded him in death: his parents, James D. and Lena Larkey Smith; six siblings, 9
Edith Huff, J.D. Smith, Harry Smith, George Smith, Eugene Smith, and Wandella 10
Shackelford; and his great-grandbaby, Knight; and 11
WHEREAS, Bill Smith is survived by the love of his life, Janet Higgins Smith; 12
three children, Timothy (Cathy) Smith, Susan (Mark) Carpenter, and Shannon (Travis) 13
Knight; sister, Virginia "Jenny" (Monroe) Jones; seven grandchildren, Amanda (Phillip) 14
Mason, Lauren (Ricky) Baker, Karen (John) Jones, Tate (Morgan) Knight, Gage Knight, 15
Laura Beth Knight, and Ashley (Travis) Sizemore; thirteen great-grandchildren, Luca, 16
Liam, Remi, Emma, Zophie, Simi, Kyler, Lilah, Blaine, Gunner, Brooklyn, Leila, and 17
baby Elise due in May; and a host of other family and friends; 18
NOW, THEREFORE, 19
Be it resolved by the Senate of the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of 20
Kentucky: 21
Section 1. The Senate hereby expresses its most profound sympathy upon the 22
passing of William "Bill" Smith. 23
Section 2. When the Senate adjourns this day, it does so in honor and loving 24
memory of William "Bill" Smith. 25
Section 3. The Clerk of the Senate is directed to transmit a copy of this 26
Resolution to Senator Brandon Storm for delivery to the family. 27