Robert William Smylie

Robert W. “Bill” Smylie

Cancer can be an opportunity. It forces discovery of what matters in life by facing death too early. It Claimed Bill Smylie on Feb. 16, 2017, but not before he had something to say about it.

Robert William “Bill” Smylie was born Nov. 18, 1949 in Kellogg, Idaho. His parents were well known to all, Gov. Robert E. and Lucille C. Smylie. While some called him “Bob,” the family called him “Bill” as he would have been the fifth “Robert Smylie” in the lineage. He attended Boise Schools, with a year at Colorado Academy in Littleton, Colorado, graduating from Boise High in 1969. He served in the US Army, honorably discharged in 1976, decorated for service in the Berlin Brigade. He earned technical degrees from Link’s School of Business, Boise State, and then a CDL license.

In an 8th grade mechanical drawing class at North Junior High, young Bill sketched out a house design. That design became the Smylie cabin where the Smylie family escaped the pressures of the Capitol, and worked on it, a room at a time. Bill and his brother, Steve, not only learned construction skills, but fishing, swimming, exploring, and marathon monopoly games with friends who came along. As a teenager, Bill got a 65 Dodge from his aunt. He lovingly souped it up and cruised Main St., in his black and yellow “bee.” It started a lifelong love of anything mechanical.

Bill worked at Hewlett Packard, timber protective associations, and national parks after the Army. But OTR truck driving appealed most to him, he loved the solitude of the road where he had freedom to chase his hobbies and dreams. He claimed to have traveled to all the lower 48, adding all of N. America later. Life on the road didn’t mix well with relationships, though. He never married, and lived alone nearly all his life. This didn’t mean that he was a hermit. He was active in the Methodist Church, model railroad clubs, and pinochle groups. He took classes and embraced computer assisted design, many of his skills self-taught. Model building was his favorite hobby.

In 2009 a routine checkup found cancer. Treatment began, but, sadly, the disease came back later, more virulent, more advanced. The Oncology team at the VA set to work. But Bill had more adventures living under a possible death sentence. Cancer forces one to focus, renew relationships and do things that all of us think “one day” I’ll do.

Bill is survived by his brother, R. Steve Smylie (Marsha) of Meridian; their children Joel (Holly) Wallace, Lisa (Tony) Breeden with their children Emma, Grace, and Madeline. Anna Smylie (companion Chuck Coxe) their adult children; a dear cousin, Louisa Allen; an aunt, Donna Wulf (Henderson, Nevada), numerous cousins, step children, nieces, nephews, and even a brand new great grandnephew.

He was proceeded in death by his father and mother Gov. Robert E. and Lucille C. Smylie, and all his other aunts and uncles.

Bill never cared for flowers. He asked that you instead give money for cancer research, the Boise Salvation Army, or the Cathedral of the Rockies (Amity Campus) where he worshipped. High praise must go the Boise VA, where Bill was treated by compassionate professionals. The Orange Team, CLC, and palliative care team gave great comfort to patient and family. Dr. Palma, Julia, Tony, Anthony, Kelly, Jan, Betty, Rebecca, Craig, Cheryl, Patrice, and so many others became friends as well as healers. Hooah to the VA!

 “To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven…” Eccl. 3:1

Today, Bill is somewhere tinkering, it’s what he loved. A celebration of life will be held Sat., March 25 at 11 AM at the Amity Cathedral of the Rockies, 4464 S. Maple Grove Rd. in Boise.