Vigil planned for local man following ‘suspicious’ death
A well-known fixture in the Meadow City was found dead Friday afternoon. Las Vegas Police confirm that the body of William Smith Jr., better known to most in Las Vegas as “Skip,” was found in an alleyway between 5th Street and 6th Street, just south of Robertson High School. Smith was 71.
Police have not said how Smith died, but according to Chief of Police David Bibb, Smith’s death is being treated as suspicious.
“The nature of where he was found makes it suspicious, but we’ll know more after the autopsy,” Chief Bibb said.
Bibb wouldn’t comment on the manner of Smith’s death, saying only that the official cause of death hasn’t been determined, and that police are awaiting a final report from the Office of the Medical Investigator. Bibb also wouldn’t say whether police had identified or were searching for any suspects or persons of interest in Smith’s death; however, Bibb said police have no reason to believe the public is in danger.
Sara Mathews, owner of Borracho’s on Bridge Street, is organizing a candlelight vigil in Smith’s honor. It is planned for 6 p.m. Sunday at Plaza Park.
“We are still getting the permits necessary from the city, but I’ve spoken to them and it looks like it’s going to happen,” Mathews told the Optic.
The vigil will feature music by Abe Garcia, a tribute by Kayt C. Peck and anyone wishing to speak or share a story about Smith will have an opportunity. Donations are also being accepted for a memorial bench in Smith’s name.
Online tributes began pouring in Friday as people learned of Smith’s passing, with many saying they were saddened by the news of his death. Some posted their favorite memories of Smith; others wished that he rest in peace.
On Facebook, Las Vegas resident and artist Wovoka Trudell posted a sketch he’d drawn of Smith along with a tribute to him.
Trudell wrote in part: “There are certain … people you seemingly always see around town … William ‘Skip’ Smith was one of those people … he just went about his business. He never bothered or harassed anyone, he never asked for anything, but people would still, on occasion, give to him … I don’t think he and I ever really even spoke more than a few words to one another. We didn’t really need to, I guess. All I know is, I won’t be seeing him walking around town anymore. None of us will … And, as unassuming as he was, as much as he kept to himself, his absence will most certainly be felt.”
Smith will be laid to rest at 10 a.m. Thursday at Our Lady of Sorrows Church, and the service will be open to the public.
According to Smith’s obituary, he was born in Providence, Rhode Island in 1948. It isn’t clear when he came to New Mexico, but he graduated from Los Alamos High School and went on to study history at the University of New Mexico.
Police have asked anyone with information about Smith’s death, or his whereabouts in the hours before his death, contact LVPD at 505-425-7504.
