Obituary of William "Bill" H. Smyth Jr.

William "Bill" H. Smyth, Jr., 83, of Morgantown, passed away Wednesday, August 9, 2023 at Ruby Memorial Hospital. He was born August 9, 1940 in Morgantown, a son of the late William H. and Dorothy (Burns) Smyth. Bill served Monongalia County for many years as Chief of both the Morgantown and Star City Police Departments and was active in law enforcement for his entire career. He was a member of the Morgantown Union Lodge #4 AF&AM, a 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Mason, Osiris Shrine Temple in Wheeling, FOP Lodge #87, and WV-SOR. He loved to travel in his retirement. He and Debbie went on many cruises, timeshares, and going to the beach. He particularly enjoyed traveling to the Grand Canyon on Amtrak with Debbie and his Dad. He is survived by his wife of 34 years, Debbie Smyth; children, Christine Riley (Herb), Eva Lee Simmons (Ed), Kim White (Pete), Amber Smyth; step children, Lori Fetty and Chad Fetty; grandchildren, Dallas Riley (fiancé Alicia Heinbaugh), Rachael Bigelow (Micah), Nick Riley (Courtney), Josh Taylor, Sierra Galusky (Jacob), Michael Bolden, Ashland Prentice (Bryan), Dax Breeden (Lizabeth); step grandchildren, Deshon Gibson (fiancé Val Musto); great grandchildren, Zayla Bigelow, Zephaniah Bigelow, Zakari Bigelow, Jaxon Galusky, and Maisie Galusky. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his mother-in-law, Jean Moore; and his special cat, Scamper. The family would like to thank the MICU and Bone Marrow Unit at Ruby Memorial Hospital for their exceptional care. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Tunnel to Tower Foundation www.t2t.org/donate, Leukemia and Lymphoma Society www.givenow.lls.org; or the WVU Cancer Center www.give.wvu.edu. Friends and family will be received at Hastings Funeral Home, 153 Spruce St., Morgantown, on Monday, August 14th from 3-7 PM. A committal service will be held at East Oak Grove Cemetery, 1291 Dorsey Ave., Morgantown, on Tuesday, August 15th at 11:00 AM with Pastor Dan Meadows officiating. The Morgantown Union Lodge #4 AF&AM will conduct ritualistic masonic services at the cemetery. Online condolences may be made at www.hastingsfuneralhome.com.