William Hickman SmithAge 92, passed away peacefully at 12:45am on April 30, 2016 at the Milwaukee VA Medical Center.  He was born on March 24, 1924 in Muncie, Indiana to Lawrence Parke Smith and Mary Elizabeth (Hickman) Smith.  Bill graduated from Burris Laboratory School (K-12) in 1942, where he won state tennis singles and doubles championships in '41 and played on the basketball team that won the state semi-finals in '42. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1942 and was wounded in the Battle of the Bulge in World War II.   A lover of the arts from an early age, Bill earned his BFA degree from the Art Institute of Chicago, furthered his artistic training at the New York Art Students' League, and opened his own graphic design studio in New York City, where he earned his living as an artist and as a designer of modular displays for traveling exhibits.  While in New York, Bill also sang with the Robert Shaw Choral.  He spent several summers as a counselor, tennis instructor, and assistant HS boys director at the National Music Camp in Interlochen, Michigan.  He married Joan Gardella in 1956.  Bill received his MA in Art from Ball State University and his PhD in Education from Indiana University.  As a professor of art at UW-Milwaukee from 1963-1989, he developed the Visual Communications Program for the Art Department and served two terms as the department chairman.  He also assisted in developing the first School of Fine Arts inter-departmental offering, The Arts and Mankind, serving as its chairman and visual arts lecturer.  Bill took great joy in introducing people to an understanding and experience of art and was well known for his popular Basic Art Experiences course.  Upon his retirement from UWM, Bill enjoyed restoring classic vintage automobiles to their former beauty, as well as designing and building architectural enhancements to his winter home in Pompano Beach, FL. Bill is survived by his wife, Joan; his four daughters: Susan (Jim) Courter of Macomb, IL; Sharon (Jerry) Rabe of Hales Corners, WI; Jean (Joe) Guidone of West Allis, WI; and Nancy (Mark) Holdeman of Carrollton, TX; six grandchildren: David (Megan) and Michael (Joanie) Rabe, Jackson and Ian (Laura) Courter, Stephen and Andrea Guidone; one great-grandchild, James Courter; nephews Greg (Pam) and Larry (Bev) Brown; and niece Janet Brown (Dennis) Wedell. He was preceded in death by his brother Lawrence Smith (killed in WWII) and his sister Jean (Robert) Brown.   A memorial service for family and friends will be held on Saturday, May 14, 2016 at 1:00pm at Hartson Funeral Home in Hales Corners, WI with Pastor Mike Frans presiding. Visitation will begin at 12:00 noon. Burial with military honors will follow the service at Chapel Hill Memorial Park in Greenfield, WI, led by nephew Rev. Larry Brown. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts in honor of William Hickman Smith may be made to Ball State University Art Museum, Smile Train, or the Salvation Army of Milwaukee.  The family wishes to express deep gratitude to the staff and volunteers at the Milwaukee VA Medical Center, who compassionately cared for Bill during his final weeks, days, and hours of life. We are also thankful for the staff and residents at Tudor Oaks Retirement Community for their loving support and care for Bill during his last three years.