William "Bill" Smith

William "Bill" Smith, 81, of Mitchell, South Dakota passed away on Thursday, February 5, 2026, following complications from surgery at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls. Memorial services will be 2:00 PM Friday, April 10, 2026, at Will Funeral Chapel in Mitchell, followed immediately by a reception with coffee and cookies. The family hopes you will join them to share stories of Bill.

Bill was born in Alexandria, South Dakota, to Laurence and Irene Smith on November 17, 1944. He was the youngest of their four children and quickly joined his siblings in learning how to persevere in the hard work that is required to live as a farming family. During high school, Bill loved playing baseball and enrolled in the engineering program at South Dakota State University upon graduation in 1962. Bill also acquired practical engineering experience during this time working as a surveyor for the pipeline and being a foreman for crews that laid the original tracks of I-90.

Bill then met and fell in love with Carol Vilhauer from Tripp, South Dakota, at Charlie’s Pizza in Mitchell. Their shared understanding that life is both joyful and hard work led them to unite in marriage on May 27, 1967. They established their permanent home in Mitchell, which soon included their son, Troy, and daughter, Teri. Bill contributed his analytical skills to the growth of Dakota Pump Inc. in the position of engineer for 40 years. His practice of perseverance continued throughout his life. Bill modeled what it means to live with honor, respect, and fairness despite external circumstances. His wit was as sharp as his engineering skills. His one-liners, devilish smirk, and gentle eyes melted those that were lucky enough to receive them. Bill’s favorite place on earth was just being with family and his beloved pets on his deck enjoying a couple beers, BBQ chicken, and admiring the seasonal changes of nature and wildlife. He was a man who asked for so little yet did so much.

Bill died as he had wanted to, as a life-long resident of South Dakota. Bill’s spirit lives on through those he loved most, his beloved wife, Carol (Vilhauer); son, Troy; daughter, Teri and son-in-law Bill Rose; granddaughter, Jordyn Smith; aunt, Dolores Smith; sisters-in-law, Margaret Smith, Esther Weber, Joyce Harms, and Lilian (John) Larsen; brother-in-law, Glen (Darla) Vilhauer; along with many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Bill was preceded in death by his father, Laurence; mother, Irene (Harding); sister, Anna Mae Christensen; brother, George “Jim”; sister, Elizabeth “Betty” Moe; father-in-law, Edgar Vilhauer; mother-in-law, Erna Vilhauer; brothers-in-law, Rodney “Chris” Christensen, Jim Moe, Don (Ann) Vilhauer, Tony Weber, and Doug Harms; nephews, Carl Christensen, Corey Christensen, Brice Vilhauer, and Jeff Harms; and goddaughter, Chelsea Vilhauer.