He was born in Benoni on June 26, 1926, to Pieter Charles Nicholas and Johanna Elizabeth (nee von Heusden) Smook, the third of four children; three boys and one girl.
He did his schooling in Benoni and at Hoërskool Voortrekker, in Boksburg
On July 23, 1949, he married the love of his life, Rentia Swiegers, and they were married for 64 years, three months and three days.
They had four children, two girls and two boys, Mertia, Hannelize, Pieter and André, between 1950 and 1964.
In 1951 Smook became the first student of the, then new, Berea Bible Seminary.
On completion of his studies he accepted a call to Pietersburg, where he served for three years, before moving to the Kroonstad assembly for 10 years, after which he became the first mission field representative of the Full Gospel Church of God, from 1966 to 1971.
In 1972 he accepted a call to the Benoni assembly, where he ministered for 25 years.
During that time he was responsible for the erection of the new church building, the House of the Lord, in Airfield, and started a nursery school.
Also during that time, he was acting moderator and third member of the executive board of the Full Gospel Church headquarters.
In 1989 Smook founded the Shanan Christian School, which grew to a head count of 200 learners from Grade R to Grade 12.
During his ministry at the House of the Lord he served as chaplain of the Mayor of Benoni, Pastor George Snyman, and also as the chaplain of Benoni High School.
He was the chaplain of the Shanan Christian School and Shanan Nursery School from their inception until January 2010.
In 2009 he started the building of the Faith Hall at the school, which was completed at the end of that year.
At the official opening of the hall, on January 22, 2010, at the age of 84, Smook handed over the chaplaincy to his successor.
He suffered a stroke on October 17, and died nine days later.
Rentia, speaking on her own behalf and the rest of Smook’s family, said: “Billy, what a great honour to have had you as my husband.
“We had the most wonderful life together with our children, in the service of our Master, Jesus Christ.
“You left such a huge heritage to us, as your family, and the Body of Christ.
“We will never forget you and will treasure your beautiful memory in our hearts; we love you so much.”
In 2010 the City Times reported on Smook receiving an honorary Doctorate of Divinity from Team Impact University, in the United States of America, in 1999, on his and and Rentia’s 50th wedding anniversary and, in 2009, on their 60th wedding anniversary.
He is survived by Rentia, their children and their spouses, Mertia Hattingh, Meryl Smook (the wife of his late son, Pieter), André Smook and his wife Deidre, Hannelize Bull and her husband Norman.
He has 15 grandchildren, four extended grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren, with one on the way,and two extended great-grandchildren.
The memorial service, which was held in the House of the Lord, Airfield,on Saturday, November 2, was conducted by Pastor Basil Carter, Smook’s successor, and was attended by 800 people from all over South Africa.
