SMITH 60th

Bill Smith and Sue McDaniel were both born in Montana, and both their families later moved to Alaska, where they met and became friends. Shortly after Bill and Sue became engaged, Sue’s family moved back to Montana. Sue and Bill were married Aug. 11, 1956, at the Bozeman (Mont.) Church.

Bill was enrolled in Walla Walla College (now Walla Walla University). He was offered an internship in the Upper Columbia Conference, pending his acquiring a master’s degree, which he received from University of the Potomac in Washington, D.C., majoring in systematic theology. While there they became parents to their first son, Daniel Jordan.

Then it was back to the Pacific Northwest to engage in evangelism in Washington's Yakima Valley, with the Spillman/Lyman team. Next Bill served as boys' dean at Upper Columbia Academy in Spangle, Wash., living in the dorm and also assisting in the building of the dormitory for the girls. Meanwhile the Smiths became parents to Bill Jr.

Another stint as evangelist with George Knowles and later with G.D. O’Brien followed. Sue served as stenographer for the team.

Overseas missionary work came next as the Smiths served God in Malaya (now Malaysia). Their daughter, Bonnie Sue, was born at Youngberg Memorial Hospital in Singapore. Four more terms found them in West and East Malaysia and East and West Indonesia.

In 1976 they requested to return from overseas service and built a home near Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Mich., where both Sue and Bill were enrolled. Bill received his Master of Divinity degree in 1984 and had been instrumental in establishing and directing the Adventist Aviation Center. They also assisted with the Marriage Encounter program throughout the U.S. and Canada.

Balikpapan, Indonesia, was their next home. Bill directed their aviation program, served as pilot and evangelist to primitive tribes, and was ordained to the gospel ministry.

While they were clearing the jungle to make way for a landing strip in Borneo, Sue became deathly ill with mosquito-borne encephalitis and dengue fever. No diagnostic or treatment facilities were available there, so they flew to Michigan and finally received a diagnosis in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, but they were informed there was no treatment. Three years later, Sue experienced a miraculous healing following an anointing service.

Tillamook, Ore., was their next home when Bill was invited to pastor. They retired in 1997 and continue to live in the home they built there, overlooking the beautiful Pacific Ocean. Since retirement, Bill has served as interim pastor at the Seaside (Ore.) Church and helped with short-term interim pastoring of several other churches. He has also engaged in construction projects as well as serving as an Adventist Developmment and Relief Agency (ADRA) promoter.

So having lived such a varied and intense life, Bill and Sue did not throw a party or take a world cruise. How does one celebrate 60 years of marriage? Bill and Sue went for a hike. Sue is legally blind, so she has to be carefully guided past hazardous roots or rocks, but she loves hiking. They hiked the three-hour trail into beautiful Soapstone Lake and saw not another human. Just the three of them made the trek — Bill; his bride, Sue; and their Best Friend and Savior, Jesus.