I have people that come up to me all the time who say they admire me for taking care of Pat, Bill said. That kind of touches me, but I tell them that I m doing what I m supposed to be doing. I m her husband. Bill and his sweetheart took their wedding vows seriously, including in sickness and in health. He believes if the situation were reversed, Pat would be taking care of him.

Pat and I have always been together, Bill said, recalling they worked together for 25 years while he was a Georgia homebuilder. We ve raised three children, and she was always a good wife and good mother, and she still is. He has been by Pat s side as she has battled multiple sclerosis for 33 years, and taken her to countless doctors with hopes they could improve her vision and her health. She can see two fingers three feet away, and that s it, Bill said.

She s had 20-some operations, tissue transplants and limb implants. Through it all, it s up to the Lord, when you get right down to it. Bill is grateful for each day and each moment. I don t take anything for granted, he said. The Smiths moved to The Villages in December 2004, after Bill learned of the community during a singing engagement in Ocala. I fell in love with The Villages, he said, recalling he was amazed to hear lively evening music at Spanish Springs Town Square.

Once he learned music and dancing is hosted nightly on both town squares, he knew The Villages was for them. Nowadays, Bill delights in playing gospel, bluegrass, country and folk songs all around town. Nursing homes and Village of Homewood remain among his favorite places to entertain. We try to do songs they know, uplifting songs like Hey, Good Lookin, You Are My Sunshine and stuff they know and can sing along, he said.