COL (RET) William Benson Smith, DVM

COL (RET) William (Bill) Benson Smith, DVM, 83, of Columbus, GA passed away Monday, July 21, 2025.

A graveside service will be held 10:00 AM EST, Friday, July 25, 2025 at Fort Mitchell National Cemetery with the Rev. Brady Baird officiating according to McMullen Funeral Home and Crematory, 3874 Gentian Blvd. Columbus, GA 31907.

Bill was born January 7, 1942, in Columbus, GA, son of the late James Marshall Smith and Carolyn Benson Smith.

Bill met the love of his life and beloved wife, Linda Bone Smith, at Columbus High School. They enjoyed a 60 year marriage filled with love and adventures. They attended Auburn University together and Bill graduated from the Auburn School of Veterinary Medicine in 1967. Bill served in both the Air Force and later the Army collectively for more than 25 years. During their marriage, Linda and Bill moved about two dozen times. They were lucky enough to call Saipan, Turkey and Germany home as well as several domestic cities. Bill spent the later part of his career at the Pentagon. While their travels took them around the world, it was their family farm in Seale, AL that was home in their hearts. Bill retired to Seale, AL in 1992. He went on to have a second career working for Iams Pet Food for another decade before fully retiring.

Bill had a variety of hobbies. He had a life-long love of animals. The most dogs he had at one time was *just* 47. He also enjoyed hunting and fishing. He had a special love for “good” food. His children remember being taken to Captain D’s far and wide. Some of Bill’s last requests before passing away included RC Colas and eclairs.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Dr. John Robert Smith, and his grandson, Russell Cooper Smith.

Bill is survived by his wife, Linda Bone Smith, and his children, Edward “Ed” Smith and Shylon Smith, daughter-in-law, Melanie Smith, and son-in-law, Karim Ahmed, and his sister, Beth Smith Callaway. He is also survived by five grandchildren: Mariam, Zaid and Yusuf Arida, as well as Benson and Bethany Smith.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Bill to the St. Thomas Episcopal Church “Youth.” https://www.stthomascolumbus.org/give/.