Obituary of William F. Smith

William F. Smith passed away surrounded by his loved ones at his home in Los Altos Hills on Friday, January 24, 2014 at the age of 89, after a long illness. Bill was born in Philadelphia, PA on June 17, 1924 to William F and Emma Smith, spent his youth in the suburbs of Philadelphia and served three years in the Army. Returning to Philadelphia after the war and capitalizing on his experience with punched card accounting processes, he joined Transamerica Insurance Co. which subsequently transferred its operation to San Francisco. In 1954 he joined Fireman's Fund Insurance Company to plan and implement their first information processing system. He supplemented his professional career with studies at the University of Pennsylvania and UC Berkeley. Under his leadership Fireman's Fund became an innovator in the automation of the California insurance industry. Through his work with agents, Bill recognized the need for a standard agent-company interface to develop the operational environment for automation. Under his guidance and vision, studies were undertaken and national committees were formed to develop a comprehensive solution to standardizing the agency-company interface. This effort resulted in today's world wide and well known Acord program In recognition of his efforts in the founding of Acord, he received many acknowledgements and awards from both national and state insurance associations. Following Bill's retirement from Fireman's Fund in 1979, he formed Automation Resources Inc. (ARI) a consulting company dedicated to helping agents develop and implement their agency automation programs. When he retired in 1997, he then became active with local fire districts in their fire prevention programs. Bill was a frustrated architect who found great satisfaction in designing and supervising the building of his home in Los Altos Hills; adding to its efficiency and beauty for over thirty years. Being able to remain in this home enhanced his final years. Bill is survived by his wife, Marcelline (Marcie) Chartz Smith whom he met through their data processing activities, married on November 12, 1966, and who forever more was his "little sweetheart". He is also survived by loving nieces and nephews, Jane Chartz, Louis (Teresa) Chartz, John (Lufi) Chartz, Peter (Terry) Chartz, and Sarah (Bryan Tooley) Chartz, their children, a sister Hazel Werler, and her children, Donnagale and Carl (Debbie) Werler. The family wants to express its deepest gratitude to Bill's extraordinary caregivers, German, Marco, Grace, Monu, Maryann, and Luisa, whose love, compassion, dedication, and skills provided much comfort during his illness. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Nicholas Church, 473 Lincoln Ave, Los Altos, CA on February 15, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to a charity of your choice or to St. Nicholas Catholic Church.




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