William Smith

William Thomas Smith, 49, of Ashland, passed away Monday, June 25, 2012, in Community Hospice Care Center in Ashland.

He was born Nov. 12, 1962, in Ashland, a son of the late Thomas Smith and Loretta Vance Wheeler, both formerly of Ashland.

Bill Smith, as he was known to everyone who knew him, worked as a control board operator and in security for WTSF, what is now Daystar, for more than 12 years. The majority of his passion and work was as a wrestler and referee in the Indy Wrestling Business, traveling throughout the United States for more than two decades. He was a big contribution to the business, and will be remembered by those as Sandy McGee "the blind referee."

For all of us, he was an inspiration, battling illness after illness from diabetes to kidney failure. He stayed strong. He was a fighter. He was a witness to everyone around him.

Survivors include sisters Tina Teresa Smith of Ashland and Shirley Reneé Holbrook of Dayton, Ohio; a brother, Robert Jerald Vance of Ashland; nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles; and many beloved friends he considered his family.

Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Friday, June 29, 2012, at Steen Funeral Home-Central Avenue Chapel in Ashland by Pastor Mike Moore and Pastor Rick Porter. Burial will be in Golden Oaks Memorial Gardens in Ashland.

Visitation will be after noon Friday at the funeral home.

Condolences may be sent to steenfuneralhome.com.