William (Bill) Robert Goldsmith, Jr., 76, of Deale, MD, passed away on September 2, 2024, at Anne Arundel Medical Center in Annapolis, MD. Born on March 2, 1948 in La Plata, MD, Bill was the son of Dorothy B. Pickeral Goldsmith-Willett and William Robert Goldsmith, Sr. Bill courageously endured prolonged illnesses in his most recent years and lived a life of love for Christ and his family.

Bill started working for various local surveyors while still in high school in Southern Maryland. He frequently commented that surveying “sure beats picking tobacco”, the primary activity in the area at the time. Bill continued in the surveying and engineering industry working for several local engineering and surveying firms in Northern Virginia, including Holland Engineering in Alexandria, Virginia; Long and Rinker in Fairfax, Virginia; and Jack Brady Engineering and Surveying also located in Alexandria, Virginia. Bill continued to advance his skills and activities as he worked in the industry. Upon the death of Jack Brady, Bill returned to his previous firm (now called Long, Rinker and Brown), in a supervisory and senior design position. In 1983, Bill joined the start-up engineering company, Christopher Consultants, as a partner. This began what became an almost 40 year relationship with Christopher Consultants. During Bill’s tenure with the company it grew from its fledgling start to become one of the preeminent and largest engineering and surveying firms in the Washington DC area. Bill was instrumental in that rise by directly starting and running various branch offices and contributing to the strategic vision and implementation of various initiatives. He held many leadership positions including Senior Partner, Director and Vice-Chair of the Board of Directors, eventually retiring as the Executive Vice President. Throughout his career, Bill was very active and held leadership positions in influential industry organizations including NVBIA, NAIOP, the Committee for Dulles Airport and many others.

Bill and his wife of 28 years, Lorraine relocated from Northern Virginia to Deale, Maryland in 1994 where they made cherished family memories at their home located on Parkers Creek of the Chesapeake Bay. Bill enjoyed spending weekends with his growing family, boating, fishing, crabs, country music, playing cards, golfing, baseball (especially the Washington Nationals), and the joyful sounds of a houseful of family and friends.

Bill is survived by his beloved wife Lorraine Goldsmith; daughter Susan (William “Bill”) Ackman; step-daughters Jennifer (Benjamin) George, and Kristine (Brian) Schoneman; grandchildren Madeline Ackman, Emily Ackman, Kyle Harding, Christopher (Jemma) Burridge, Bradley Burridge, Andrew Schrinel, Trevor Goodrich, and Kaylyn Goodrich; sisters Elaine (Gary) Vick, Carol Ann (Charles) Smith, and Robin (Giles) Huggins; and nephews Dwight Vick and Nicholas (Chrissy) Ellis and many dearly loved friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents Dorothy B. Willett and William R. Goldsmith; step-father Horace Willett; daughter Wendy Harding; step-daughter Pamela Brennan; and niece Shannon Ellis-Smith.

Family and friends are welcome to attend Bill’s Celebration of Life service on Saturday, September 7, at 11:00 A.M. at South County Community Church, 1320 Avalon Boulevard, Shady Side, MD, 20764. A reception will immediately follow at Pirate’s Cove Restaurant and Dock Bar, 4817 Riverside Drive, Galesville, MD 20765.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Diabetes Association in honor of William R. Goldsmith.