Garrison District in Liberty in Clay County, Missouri — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

William Lawrence Smith

Photographed by Erika Brant

1. William Lawrence Smith Marker

Inscription.
William was born on November 12, 1965 to Lawrence and Bessie Smith in Liberty, Missouri. William attended Liberty Public Schools, from kindergarten through high school, graduating with the Liberty High School Class of 1979. As a member of First Baptist Church of Liberty he learned how to serve and be a "pillar of the community". William made choices, and due to the outcome of those actions, he worked to rewrite his narrative, starting with putting his faith in God. William always offered help or support to anyone and everyone he could. He would offer encouragement, make you smile, or be someone to lean on. He would even create lasting connections through the outreach ministries he served in. In 2009, William hosted the first of many 3-on-3 basketball tournaments with the sole focus of his mission: "Bringing brotherhood together through basketball". Thus, his nonprofit organization Hoops 4 Hope, Inc. was established.

William used his story to create a ministry of outreach. He combined his love for basketball, the community and youth, planting seeds for his legacy; a lasting impact he lived out fully until he was called

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

home in September 2024.

Erected 2025 by The Family of William Lawrence Smith & Liberty, MO Parks & Rec.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Charity & Public Work • Religion & Religious Structures • Sports. A significant historical date for this entry is November 12, 1965.

Location. 39° 14.982′ N, 94° 25.398′ W. Marker is in Liberty, Missouri, in Clay County. It is in the Garrison District. It can be reached from Grover St. north of West Mississippi Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 401 Grover Street, Liberty MO 64068, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Missouri River Corridor

and in Greater Kansas City.

It is also in the American Midwest,

in the Lewis & Clark Corridor,

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

the Louisiana Purchase,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least

Photographed by Erika Brant

2. William Lawrence Smith Marker

8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Liberty, Missouri Juneteenth Legacy (a few steps from this marker); Ruth Powell Moore (a few steps from this marker); Liberty Juneteenth (within shouting distance of this marker); In Memory of Betty Lou & Denny Anderson (within shouting distance of this marker); Meals On Wheels (within shouting distance of this marker); In Celebration of America's 250th (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Liberty Mormon Jail (approx. 0.2 miles away); St. Luke A.M.E. Church (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Liberty.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 18, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 18, 2025, by Erika Brant of Liberty, Missouri. This page has been viewed 71 times since then and 38 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 18, 2025, by Erika Brant of Liberty, Missouri. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.