Posted February 22, 2017

Father William J. Smith, pastor emeritus of St. Joseph Parish in Downingtown, died Feb. 8 at age 95.

Born March 10, 1921 in Philadelphia, he was the son of the late Daniel Pyle Smith and the late Kathryn (Weaver) Smith. He attended Lowell Public School and Olney High School in Philadelphia before entering St. Charles Borromeo Seminary.

Father Smith was ordained May 31, 1947 at the Cathedral of SS. Peter and Paul in Philadelphia by Bishop Hugh L. Lamb. Father Smith served as parochial vicar at St. Anthony of Padua Parish, Easton; St. Paul Parish, Philadelphia; St. Gregory Parish, Philadelphia; Cathedral of SS. Peter and Paul, Philadelphia; and St. Martin of Tours, Philadelphia.

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In 1975 Father Smith was appointed pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Downingtown, and named pastor emeritus there in 1991.

The funeral Mass was celkebrated by Archbishop Charles Chaput Feb. 16 at St. Francis Center for Rehabilitation and Health Care, Darby. Concelebrants included Msgr. Daniel J. Sullivan, Father Edward J. Kennedy and Msgr. William J. Dombrow, who was also the homilist.

Father Smith is survived by his nephews and nieces. Interment was at St. Joseph Cemetery, Downingtown.