Hawaii swimming legend Bill Smith passes

Bill Smith, one of the greatest sports figures in Hawaii history, died last Friday (Feb. 8). The two-time Olympic gold medal swimmer from Kaneohe and Maui was 88. He attended Saint Louis School and graduated from Baldwin High before becoming an eight-time national champion at Ohio State.

In 1948 he won gold medals at the London Olympics in the 400-meter freestyle and the 4×200-meter freestyle relay while captaining the U.S. men’s swimming team.

He held the world record in four different freestyle events.

Smith was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame, the Hawaii Sports Hall of Fame, the Hawaii Swimming Hall of Fame and the Ohio State University Athletic Hall of Fame.

He served in the Navy during World War II and then was Water Safety Director for the City and County of Honolulu for more than 30 years.

Services will be held March 9 at St. Ann’s Church in Kaneohe with visitation at 10 a.m. and services at 11 a.m.

Bill Smith is survived by his wife, Moana Riley Smith, four sisters, 10 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.