William “Bill” Francis Smith III, 80, of Charleston, SC, passed away on February 16, 2026.

Funeral services will be private.

Bill was born in Charleston, SC, to William Francis Smith II and Adele Stevens Smith, on February 7, 1946. He was raised in Old Mt. Pleasant on Atlantic Avenue, a place he loved and cherished. He attended Bishop England High School, where he engaged in shenanigans with his lifelong best friends, Michael Osbourne (deceased) and Bob Manning. He later graduated from the University of South Carolina.

Bill proudly served in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War. He worked as a life insurance agent and owned Low Country Insurance Management. His office in the People’s Building downtown was a place he enjoyed going to each day, especially for the view of Charleston Harbor from his window.

A lifelong world traveler and avid student of history, Bill had little interest in sports but a deep appreciation for the stories of the past. He was involved in the Sons of the American Revolution and valued the friendships and fellowship it brought.

Bill was preceded in death by his love, best friend, and partner of 34 years, Peggy Kontonickas; his daughter, Sarah Ellen Sluss; and his parents.

He is survived by his daughter, Diana Alexis Smith, to whom he imparted his love of world travel, his thoughtful way of seeing the world, and his joyful, irreverent spirit, and her partner, Ko O'Neal; his stepchildren, Theodore Zavakos and Lee Zavakos, whom he was proud to call his sons. He cherished the relationships he shared with Lee’s wife, Janny Zavakos, and the late Pamela Zavakos, both of whom brought love, steadiness, and joy into his life.

Through his daughter, Sarah Ellen Sluss, Bill was blessed with his beloved granddaughter, Amy Marie Sluss. He remained closely connected to Amy, her father Kevin Sluss, Kevin’s wife Sue Sluss, and Sue’s son, Coan Price, cherishing the enduring bonds they shared over the years.

He is survived by his beloved grandchildren, Alexandros Zavakos (Victoria), Zach Zavakos (Erica), Bradly Zavakos, Andraya Zavakos, Caroline Zavakos (Daniel), and Nicholas Zavakos, as well as many great-grandchildren. All of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren lovingly knew him as “Mr. Bill.”

He is survived by his lifelong best friend, Lars Ove Mattsson of the Åland Islands, Finland, whom he considered a brother.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Columbia Fisher House. Checks may be made payable to “Fisher House” or “Columbia Fisher House” and mailed to: Columbia Fisher House, 6439 Garners Ferry Road, Building 32,,Columbia, SC 29209.

The family wishes to extend sincere thanks to the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center and the E. Roy Jones Veterans Home, both of which provided compassionate and excellent care.

Arrangement by J. Henry Stuhr, Inc., Mount Pleasant Chapel. A memorial message may be sent to the family by visiting our website at www.jhenrystuhr.com.