William Polk Smeal, of Rye, N.Y., passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, on February 8, 2024, after a courageous three-year battle with acute myeloid leukemia. He was 9 years old.

 Born in New York City, Billy and his family moved to Rye when he was 3. He attended Christ’s Church Nursery School and then Rye Country Day School, where he made an immediate impression with his outgoing nature, curiosity, and quick wit. To know him was to be charmed by him, and he was up for anything. He loved Legos, New York Times word games, Greek gods, and correcting people on the proper pronunciation of his last name. Billy had a running 112-day streak on Duolingo for French, and he loved doing art projects and making hearts for his mom.

 He endured his illness with dignity and grace. He attended third grade up through February 6 because he was so fiercely determined to be a normal kid. He remained spirited and engaged with life until the very end. Billy was and will always be an inspiration to the many people who loved him. He was a wonderful boy and will be missed dearly.

 Billy is survived by his mother Diana, his father Ben, his brothers Teddy and John, his aunts and uncles and cousins, and both sets of grandparents.

 The Smeal family is deeply touched and grateful by the outpouring of love and support from the Rye community. 

A memorial service will be held at Christ’s Church in Rye on February 29 at 10 a.m. The family asks that only those who knew Billy and their family personally attend the church service. The service will be live-streamed. 

 The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Billy Smeal Fund: https://fjc.givingfuel.com/billy-smeal-fund.