William Randolph Smith

William Randolph “Randy” Smith January 23, 1952 – December 12, 2024 William Randolph “Randy” Smith, 72, of Middletown passed away peacefully in his home surrounded by his loving family. He was born at Riverview Hospital in Red Bank, NJ on January 23, 1952. He was the only child of William J. Smith and Margaret Carney Smith of West Keansburg, NJ. He was a proud alum of Christian Brothers Academy (Class of 1970) where he played basketball and participated in the drama club. He attended Assumption College (Class of 1974) where he played soccer and made lifelong friends. He earned his Juris Doctor (J.D.) from Widener Law School in 1977. After college, he played softball for the local VFW Post 4303 where he met the love of his life, Donna. They married in 1977 and purchased their home in Middletown, where they raised their family. He began his legal career at the Law Office of David Zolkin in Keansburg, then worked for Francis X. Moore in Red Bank, and finally for Miele & Miele in Hazlet, before starting his own practice in 1988. He also served as Public Defender for Hazlet Township, the same town his father served as Chief of Police and his mother served as Town Clerk. He finished his career at the Herbet Ellis Law Firm in Freehold before retiring in 2017. He was a man who was deeply devoted to his family, faith, community service, and patriotism. As a young father, he could be found videotaping his daughter at her dance recitals and coaching his son in youth sports, while making time to attend New Jersey Devils games, his wife’s favorite team. He served as an altar boy at St. Ann’s Church in Keansburg where he was a lifelong parishioner and could be found speaking at mass about tithing and assisting in other church activities. He was lifetime member of Middletown Elks Lodge 2179, where he was a Past Exalted Ruler, Past Vice President, and Past District Deputy. He was awarded Elk of the Year, but his favorite part of being an Elk was speaking at youth activities events and raising money for veterans and special children. He was a proud American and often attended services for active military and veterans to honor his grandfathers, father, and other family members who served proudly to protect our freedom. He was a large man with an even larger personality. One of his favorite Frank Sinatra’s song, “My Way” personified how he lived his life. He is survived by his wife Donna Smith (Bauer), his daughter Tara Lyn Smith, his son, Bryan Patrick Smith and daughter-in-law, Caitlin Smith (Rosell). He is also survived by his sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, cousins, nieces, nephews and extended family. Visitation will be held at Laurel Funeral Home, West Keansburg, on Monday, December 16 from 2:00-4:00 and 7:00-9:00. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, December 17 at 9:30 at St. Ann’s Church, Keansburg, with burial to follow at Shoreland Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Hazlet. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Elks National Foundation, which is designed to help youth develop lifelong skills, send students to college, meet the needs of today’s veterans, support the charitable work of the state Elks associations, and fund projects that improve the quality of life in local Elks communities.

William Randolph Smith

January 23, 1952 - December 12, 2024