GREAT FALLS — Bill Smith, a flight nurse for Mercy Flight in Great Falls, is being remembered after he passed away on November 6th. Smith was just 40 years old when he died suddenly from medical complications.
"Emotionally, it's really, really tough,” said Kevin Langkiet, Benefis Critical Care and Emergency Services Director.
Langkiet says Smith was like a son to him: "He was very influential. He kept all of us going in the same direction. Patients always come first."
"He was extremely larger than life, his personality. Some would call him loud, but he wasn't. He was boisterous. He made everybody smile. that was his thing, make everybody smile,” Langkiet said.
Outside the hospital, Smith was heavily involved in setting up Mercy Flight education programs in the community.
Agencies across Great Falls and beyond who knew Smith have been expressing their condolences. Great Falls Emergency Services and Great Falls Fire Rescue changed their Facebook profile pictures to honor Smith.
"It's comforting, but at the same time it reinforces that we've lost somebody,” said Langkiet.
Lost, but certainly not forgotten. Smith leaves behind a wife, a daughter, and a son who hopes to become a nurse like his father.
