Former ARRL Headquarters staffer Bill Smith, W0WOI (ex-K0CER, W1DVE, W5USM), of Jefferson, Iowa, died on June 1. An ARRL Life Member, he was 78 and had been a radio amateur and League member since 1952. He served on the ARRL staff from 1967 to 1974 and was the editor of QST's “World Above 50 Mc.” column, succeeding Sam Harris, W1FZJ. In 1967, Smith was among the founders (with W0CUC and W0ENC) of the organization that became the Central States VHF Society. He was said to be looking forward to the organization’s 50th gathering later this year.

Smith activated the Cayman Islands for the first time ever on 6 meters as ZF1DT in 1968, and he led the 1970 KL7ABR DXpedition to Alaska 2 years later for the ARRL June VHF QSO Party. He was on the DXCC Honor Roll and had nearly completed DXCC on 6 meters. He also enjoyed collecting vintage and rare QSL cards.

On the professional side, Smith had extensive experience in television news reporting and documentary work.