MSG (retired) Victor William “Bill” Smith, Jr., a retired mechanic for the Department of Military Affairs and Master Sargent for the Florida Army National Guard and lifelong resident of Ocala, Florida. Bill passed away at home with his family at his side on Tuesday, December 24th, 2019 at the age of 70 after a courageous yearlong battle with ALS. Bill was preceded in death by both parents. He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Marjorie "Sister" O'Quinn Smith, his daughter, Ashley Dyan Boutwell (fiancé Price Harris); grandchildren, Raelyn & Wyatt Boutwell; Sisters, Maryanne George, of Fernandina Beach, Florida, Patricia Yawn of Ocala, Florida. Bill was born in Ocala, Florida on June 5, 1949 to Victor William Smith Sr. and Mary Ernestine Smith. Bill was raised in Kendrick and Ocala. He attended Oakcrest Elementary School, 8th Street, Osceola Middle School & Ft. King Middle School and graduated from Ocala High School in 1967. He attended Central Florida Community College and enlisted in the Florida Army National Guard in 1970 and served 39 years and 6 months in the following units: *1970-1994 Troop E 153 Calvary Unit, Ocala FL from. *1994-1996 631st Maintenance Company, Crystal River FL. *1996-1999 325th Maintenance Company, Crystal River, FL. *1999-2003 927th Corps Support Battalion Starke, FL 32091. *2003-2004 325 CS CO Maintenance, Lake Wales, FL. *2004-2006 856th Water BN Brooksville, FL 34604. *2006-2009 53rd Infantry BDE (btsb), Pinellas Park, FL. Bill worked proudly for 25 years for the Department of Military Affairs as a maintenance technician in Eustis, Tavares, Crystal River and Camp Blanding keeping our military running efficiently during his watch. Bill was a devoted husband to Sister, a loving father to Ashley, a loyal friend, and his pride and joy was becoming a Grandaddy in February 2004 to Wyatt & Raelyn. He was an avid hunter and fisherman as well as spending as much time at his family home on the Suwannee River as he could. He could be found at anything his grandchildren were involved in, whether sporting events or their love for the outdoors. He loved his Florida Gators; whether it was football, basketball, baseball, softball, gymnastics, or volleyball; if the Gators were playing he was watching. He also loved to watch all the left turns of Nascar. A Visitation Gathering will be held Saturday, January 4th, 2020 from 12-2 PM at the Mausoleum Chapel located in Good Shepherd Memorial Gardens, 5050 SW 20th street, Ocala, Florida 34474. In honor of Bill, the family request no coat or ties. A Celebration of Life will follow at 2:00 pm to memorialize a life well lived. The United States Military Honor Guard will be in attendance to render full funeral honors in recognition of the many years MSG Smith served our Grateful Nation. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his honor to The ALS Association Florida Chapter, 3242 Parkside Center Circle, Tampa, Florida 33619 to assist in the research to find a cure for this horrible disease.