William Roy Smith (politician)
William Roy Smith | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date Petersburg, Virginia, U.S. |
| Died | September 17, 1993 (aged 73) Petersburg, Virginia, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Politician, businessman, pharmacist |
| Years active | 1947–1982 (business), 1951–1973 (politics) |
| Known for | Member of the Virginia House of Delegates (1951–1973), CEO of Physicians Products Company Inc. |
William Roy Smith (born July 8, 1920 – died September 17, 1993) was a Virginia-based American politician who held office in the Virginia House of Delegates from 1951 until 1973.
Early life
Born in Petersburg, Virginia on July 8, 1920, William Roy Smith was the son of a pharmacist. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the School of Pharmacy at the Medical College of Virginia in 1941.
Career
In 1947, with assistance from his father, Smith established his own pharmaceutical company named Physicians Products Company Inc. This business was sold in 1963 to International Latex Corporation and subsequently merged with a Pennsylvania subsidiary. Smith remained as chief executive officer through the late 1960s. His professional affiliations included serving as president of the Virginia Pharmaceutical Association and membership in the American Pharmaceutical Association. During the late 1960s, he briefly owned Triangle Dodge auto dealership and acted as executive secretary for the Virginia Pharmaceutical Association. In 1969, he joined A. H. Robins Company as director of new products planning and advanced to vice president by 1973. He later became senior vice president and general manager of the pharmaceutical division before retiring in January 1982.
Politically aligned with the Democratic Party, Smith represented Petersburg along with Prince George and Dinwiddie counties in the Virginia House of Delegates from 1952 through 1973. During his tenure, he chaired the appropriations committee and co-sponsored legislation that resulted in the development of the Richmond–Petersburg Turnpike. Following his legislative service, Smith joined the Coalition—a political group comprising independent and conservative Democrats—which supported candidates such as Mills Godwin, John N. Dalton, and Chuck Robb for governor of Virginia. In 1982, Smith collaborated with Godwin as co-chairmen of a steering committee backing Paul S. Trible Jr.’s campaign for the U.S. Senate.
In 1981, Smith received an appointment to the board of visitors at Virginia Commonwealth University. He served as vice rector for three years before assuming the role of rector from 1984 to 1986. Additionally, he held presidencies at both the Medical College of Virginia Alumni Association and the Petersburg Lions Club. Smith was instrumental in founding what became known as the Southside Virginia Emergency Crew and participated on its advisory board as well as on advisory boards for First & Merchants Bank in Petersburg.
Personal life
Smith was married to Virginia Lee Brown, and together they had three children: two sons, Robert Worthington Nunnally and Robert Blackwell II, along with a daughter named Virginia Lee. He actively participated in St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Petersburg, serving as a vestryman.[1]
On September 17, 1993, Smith passed away at his residence in Petersburg due to cancer. His final resting place is Blandford Cemetery located in Petersburg.[1]
Awards
Smith was honored with the Distinguished Service Award by the Petersburg Jaycees in 1949. Later, in 1965, he earned the title of Pharmacist of the Year from the Virginia Pharmaceutical Association.[1][2]