William D. Smith

JOHNSON: William Dana Smith, 60, of Johnson died suddenly at Copley Hospital in the Emergency Care Center in Morrisville, on July 29, 2026, with family at his side.

He was born on October 22, 1965, in Springfield, Mass; the son of James F. and Adeline C. (Hutchinson) Smith. He attended Peoples Academy in Morrisville and then went on to Job Core.  His time at job core led him in the career path of welding & fabrication as well as heavy equipment and trucking mechanics. He was employed for multiple years at Pepins Truck Repair in Derby.

Billy married Sherry Duffy on November 7, 2021.  Friends as teenagers, they reunited and became a couple later in life in 2011. They shared a love that felt meant to be. They made their home in Johnson. Billy and Sherry were devoted to each other. He did everything he could to make her life easier and more comfortable, he was truly the love of her life. They cherished simple moments together, from morning coffee and day trips browsing local shops to evenings at home, when he would always ask which TV show she wanted to watch first.

Bill was diagnosed with cancer in 2021 and fought a long, difficult battle. Many people did not know what he was going through because he did everything he could to hide it. Billy refused to let cancer control him or make him give up. He fought by living as normally as possible. Even while in pain and struggling to breathe, he insisted on taking care of what needed to be done, from mowing the lawn to snow blowing. He always had a project underway, doing whatever he could to make their home the way he and Sherry wanted it while he was still able. You could find him painting, installing flooring, building shelves, working on his shed, or even building a fence or deck. He did the same for his stepchildren. He had recently been helping his stepson, Anthony, with remodeling projects at his home, and he installed an outdoor light and camera for his stepdaughter, Amber, because he was worried about a bear that had been on her porch the night before.

He was truly a family man—one of the best. He would drop everything to help his stepchildren and their children, whom he loved and treated as his own. Known as Grampa Billy, he was someone the children knew they could count on for anything. All they had to do was ask, and often he offered before they needed to. He loved attending the girls' dance recitals, school concerts, and games, and he gladly drove them to and from work or school. He was always thinking about how he could help. He enjoyed family barbecues, sitting around the fire pit, and simply spending time together; he was happiest when surrounded by family. He fit in with everyone. He answered his father-in-law Arnold's many requests to fix something or run to the store, and he helped care for his mother-in-law, Charlene, making sure she had what she needed, checking on her, and helping her feel safe at home. He also drove his sister-in-law Shena to many cancer appointments in Burlington. Early in his own health struggles, Billy delayed telling Sherry or seeking help because he did not want to add to her worries as she was losing her little sister. Billy also checked on his mother, Adeline, and was recently able to help his brother arrange her future care. That time with Steve meant a great deal to Billy; he was grateful to work alongside him and talk with him. Billy in his earlier years enjoyed spending time skeet shooting with his brothers.

Of course, his "little ones," Odie and Sophie, their dogs, were part of the family too. He often sent photos of them to relatives, joking about how spoiled they were as they lounged on the couch or in their bed. Earlier this year, while he was in the hospital preparing for emergency surgery, Sophie was badly hurt. He insisted that Sherry take care of Sophie first and come to him afterward, because the pets were his children too.

Survivors include: his mother Adeline, of Lyndonville, his loving wife Sherry, of Johnson, siblings; Steve Smith of Barre and Laurie (Roger) Perry of Florida; three stepchildren, Anthony Goslette of Johnson, Amanda (James) Murray of Wolcott and Amber Goslette (Jeff Lewia) of Johnson; grandchildren: Destiny, Emily, Hailey and Jacob; as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was predeceased by his father James F. Smith, Sr. two brothers Michael Smith and wife Ruth, James Smith Jr., his in-laws Arnold and Charlene Duffy and sisters-in-law; Sharon Duffy, and Shena Caldwell

A Memorial Service for family and friends will be held at 2 PM on Saturday, August 15, 2026, at the United Church of Johnson with Pastor Pat Thompson officiating.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to the Lamoille Area Cancer Network, P.O. Box 828, Morrisville, Vt. 05661.

Northern Vermont Funeral Service, 60 Elm Street, Hardwick is assisting family with arrangements. Online condolences are welcomed at: northernvermontfuneralservice.com