Walter R. Smith of Lakewood, PA, passed away at Wayne Memorial Hospital on Tuesday, January 9, 2024. He was born in Niagara Falls, NY, on February 17, 1948.

Walt graduated from SUNY Brockport and taught history and social studies at Hancock Central School for 32 years. He coached many sports at HCS but football was his passion. For that, on January 13, 2016, he was inducted in the NYSPHSAA Section IV Hall of Fame. His commitment and love for coaching is evident in the many players that worked hard and still give it their all to this day. Wildcat pride was always his motto.

Walt was predeceased by two brothers and two sisters.

Surviving are his wife, Mary Lynn; two daughters, Kendra Spangenburg and Kari (James) Decker; three grandchildren, Evan and Jasmine Spangenburg and Ben Decker; brother, Dave; many nieces and nephews, and the great ones: Andrew, Grace, Aiden, Layla, and Matthew Evanitsky, and Andyn and Case Newman.

Calling hours will be held on Saturday, January 13, 2024 from 11AM-2PM followed by a memorial service at 2PM all at the Henderson-Biedekapp Funeral Chapel, Hancock, NY.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Walt's memory to the Hancock Community Education Foundation, P.O. Box 819 Hancock, NY, 13783.

Arrangements by Henderson-Biedekapp Funeral Chapel, Hancock.