Ernest "Bill" W. Smith Jr.'s Obituary
Ernest W. “Bill” Smith, 93, of Escondido, passed away peacefully on April 5, 2025.
Born in Minden, Nebraska, Bill was drafted into the U.S. Marine Corps in 1951, which brought him to California. He married Deloris “Dee” McCown in 1952 and earned a business degree from SDSU in 1957. A true entrepreneur, Bill founded the Pizza Palace restaurant chain, developed commercial properties in Escondido, opened Escondido Boat and Supply, and operated a Protea flower ranch.
Deeply active in the community, he served on the Palomar Hospital Board, Escondido Elementary Personnel Board, and was a 50-year member of Rotary. After his son suffered a brain aneurism, he helped establish the Howard House and led over 30 charity golf tournaments supporting the San Diego Brain Injury Foundation.
An avid outdoorsman, Bill loved golf, tennis, skiing, hunting, and traveling the world with Dee—especially to Maui.
He is survived by his wife of 73 years, Dee; children Kevin, Doug (Susan), and Sandy Trumble; and grandchildren Ryan and Jennifer Smith, and Bryce and Cassie Trumble.
Broadway, Escondido. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the San Diego Brain Injury Foundation.
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