[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 9 (Wednesday, January 17, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E126]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING THE CAREER OF BILL SMITH

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BART GORDON

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 17, 2007

  Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the 
banking career of Bill Smith, who, as he puts it, started out as an 
errand runner and left as chairman of the board.
  Bill began working for the Bank of Commerce in Woodbury, Tennessee, 
in 1950. At the time, there were five other employees working at the 
bank on the west side of the Cannon County Square. He began as a runner 
and went on to fill many other positions at the bank, including using a 
pen and ledger to keep the balance of the entire bank.
  In 1954, the bank moved to its current location on the north side of 
the square, and Bill continued moving up. In 1964, an addition was 
added to the bank, and Bill earned the title of vice president.
  In 1967, the Bank of Commerce was sold to Third National Bank, and 
Bill became president. Another addition to the Woodbury branch was 
added in 1982. Under Bill's leadership, the Bank of Commerce sponsored 
the Cannon County Good Ole Days for 25 years and started the annual Red 
Apple Days in Auburntown. Bank branches were built and obtained in the 
Edgefield community and in Auburntown.
  When the bank sold in the early 1980s, it had grown to about 50 full-
time and 20 part-time employees. The bank sold again in 1991 to 
Regions, and Bill's son, Steve, who had begun working for the bank 
while attending Middle Tennessee State University, became president. 
Bill became chairman of the board until he retired from the banking 
industry on August 31, 2005.
  In his so-called retirement, Bill has been helping his son, Mike, 
with their family business, Smith Funeral Home, and managing his family 
farm. He is an active member of the Church of Christ.
  Christine Dillon, who has worked with Bill since 1951, both at the 
bank and the funeral home, says Bill is described by friends as kind, 
friendly, a good Christian and a great marketing person. He is much 
loved by his friends and former banking colleagues. I congratulate Bill 
on his retirement, and I wish him many years of happiness.

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