William Henry Smith Jr. affectionately known as “Skip,” 93 was born on April 5, 1933, at Riverview Hospital (when it was a house) in Red Bank, New Jersey an only child to the late Perry Louise Smith and William Henry Smith Sr. and entered into eternal rest on June 22, 2026, at Riverview Medical Center Red Bank, New Jersey.
Skip, who was a lifelong resident, grew up on Linden Place in Red Bank and in his younger years attended the Shrewsbury AME Zion Church Red Bank, which was his family church. He later sometimes attended church with his wife Doris at Calvary Baptist Church.
He attended the Red Bank School System and was a proud graduate of Red Bank High School in 1951. Skip was an exceptional basketball player and loved the sport with all his heart. He would often remind his loved ones “when number 7 shot it from the corner... it was good... nothing but net”. He loved playing alongside his best friend Pete Reeves (best friend for over 85 years.) After Pete’s passing when you would ask Skip how he was doing he would say “kicking but not high and would then say you know Pete would always say that.” He used to speak fondly of all the times they spent over the years, he would often say to his grandson how much he missed his friends, Pete Reeves, Jack Lewis, James “Beasy” Gaskin, Ronnie Seward, Pete Foster and Bill “Cody “Scott as Skip was the last remaining of that friend group.
Skip felt a duty to serve his country and enlisted in the United States Army in 1953 and served at Camp Polk Louisiana Company I 148th Infantry Regiment and 1953-1955 at Fort Riley Kansas, Private E-1 Rifleman.
Skip entered into holy matrimony with Doris Carmen Scott, affectionately known as Dee, on September 10, 1955, and they were married for 71 years until his passing. From this union was born a son Anthony Kevin Smith Sr. whom they adored with all their heart until his unexpected passing on May 21, 2009.
Skip was a dedicated hard-working man who worked two jobs his entire life. Spanning from 1951 to 2025. He took pride in providing for his family. During that time Skip worked two full time jobs for 15 years straight. His first job was at J. Yanko as a driver in Red Bank. He then became a self-employed owner operator along with his friend James (Beasy) Gaskin of a construction light hauling company. He worked for the United States Government Department of Defense Security at Fort Monmouth, New Jersey for 35 years retiring at the rank of Lieutenant, Wackenhut Security (11yrs), Riverview Medical Center Security (10 yrs), Red Bank Regional HS Security / Hall Monitor (10yrs), Borough of Red Bank Crossing Guard (15yrs) until 2021, and Marion Security (20yrs) which he held that position until he retired at the age of 92 in 2025. When asked by his grandson Tony why he worked so many jobs for so many years he would say “I remember what it felt like not being able to get what I wanted, and I never wanted to feel like that again.”
Skip with an avid fan of the Jets, Mets, Tennis (loved watching Venus, Serena and Coco) and especially his beloved Knicks, whom he finally got to see win another championship just nine days before his passing.
He was meticulous about everything, mostly his house, cars, and especially the way he dressed. Skip was very giving and fiercely protective of those he loved.
He loved listening to jazz music and listening to The Quiet Storm with Lenny Greene on WBLS every night reflecting his cool laid-back style. He used to say “What 90-year-old still listens to music like this? I still know what’s happening and what good cuts sound like.”
Skip was predeceased by his parents Louise and William H Smith Sr, his son Anthony “Tony” Kevin Smith Sr, his sisters-in-law Sadie Dudley, Eva Kitty Holmes and Joan Scott, his brothers-in-law Augustus James, George Dudley and Willis Scott, and his best friend Pete Reeves.
He leaves to cherish his memories, his devoted wife, of 71 years Doris “Dee” “Sister” Smith, his grandson Anthony “Tony” Kevin Smith Jr, his daughter-in-law Kim Smith, his nieces, Eileen Moore, Kathy (Rod) White, Roxanne Holmes, Allyson Scott, Wendy Scott and Kelli Scott his great nephews Shane (Daphne) White and Jerrell Moore, cousins Nancy Hall, George “Boo” Hall Jr., Robin Hall, Renee Green, Antoinette “Missy” Fernandes, Donna Fernandes and Lori Fernandes, Goddaughter Marcia Gaskin, Godson Irv Reeves, nephews Pete Reeves, Chris Reeves, David Reeves, his nieces, Yvonne Reeves, and Debbie Reeves, the Mitter Family and a host of cousins, extended nieces and nephews, family and friends.
The consensus no matter who you spoke with regarding Skip was that they all agreed he was a hard worker, a great man and one of the coolest guys around. He will be Forever remembered and Forever loved.
