SMITH, Capt. Billy

SMITH, Capt. Billy (of Kerrville, Texas, U.S.A) - On Monday, March 24, 2008, after a lengthy struggle with illness. Capt. Smith assumed the General Manager's position at the then Gulf Oil Corporation marine terminal at Whiddy I. (Bantry) in 1979 in the immediate aftermath of the Betelgeuse Disaster. He remained in that position until 1982 when he returned to the United States. Despite the tragic events that brought him into the country, Capt. Smith could not conceal his genuine affection for Ireland and her people and spent many hours of his retirement spinning tales of hunting and fishing in southwest County Cork. Capt. Smith was a U.S. Merchant Marine combat veteran of WWII and worked for 32 years with the Gulf (now Chevron) managing 85+ oil tankers and leading their maritime disaster response team. A resident of Gillespie County, Texas since 1983 he is survived by wife Kathryn and sons Dr. Robert Smith of Corpus Christi, Texas and Capt. Charles Smith of San Antonio, Texas.