Dr. William Pierce Smith, 82, died Sept. 8 at his home in Saratoga.

Smith was born and raised in Canajoharie, N.Y. He entered Yale University in 1940 and graduated as the valedictorian in 1947 after serving in the U.S. Air Force as a captain in World War II. He flew 50 missions in a B-24 as the lead squadron pilot stationed in Italy.

While at Yale, Smith was a member of the St. Elmo and Brazilias Senior Society. He graduated from the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Columbia University in 1953 and completed his residency in internal medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital in 1957, where he served as the chief medical officer. He was a physician at Henry Ford Hospital from 1957 to 1995 and spent much of that time as the medical division one head. He was a member of the clinical faculty of the University of Michigan Medical School for many years.

Smith was also an avid tennis player and enjoyed skiing.

Smith is survived by his daughter, Dr. Rebecca Smith-Coggins and her husband Dr. Dwain L. Coggins; grandsons Benjamin, Nathaniel and Timothy Coggins; and brother Dr. Barton Peck Smith. His daughter Deborah Hatheway Smith died previously.

In lieu of a formal service, family and friends gathered in silent reflection and prayer on Sept. 24.