In 1988, Bill Smith retired from the Air Force, where he specialized in space shuttle tracking at Bangor, Maine, and returned to the Shannon area.

His father was very ill and passed away in 1990.

In 1990, Bill opened his framing business in its present location on Main Street in Alabaster.

His decision was a good one.

Anything you want framed, he can do.

He said, “If you stand still long enough, I can frame you.”

Known for his vast collection of Alabama and Auburn pictures and paintings, some of the ideas he comes up with are absolutely amazing.

He has prints, lithographs and paintings, including signed and numbered, of your favorite play, favorite coach or favorite player.

Lots of Nick Saban prints are available now, which would make great Christmas or birthday gifts. And, you can decide on the specialty frame and mat or let Smith advise you.

Size, matting and any extras, like the coins, need to be considered as to where the print will be hung — in home, office, den, family room, place of business, elsewhere.

Are you holding onto baby things or maybe some old things of Grandma’s that you want placed in a shadow box?

He does very creative shadow boxes in addition to framing stamp collections, cross stitching, children’s art, oil paintings, diplomas, certificates, old time pictures, hand written poems, post cards, love letters, and religious paintings — anything.

Because of the economy, Bill’s business is down. After all, people say they’ll just put those projects aside until the money crisis is over. Smith has cut his prices way down in an effort to deal with this.

Bill and his wife, Joyce Reach Smith, are the Birmingham Task Force Leaders for Ride for Kids, benefiting the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation.

Every September, there’s a motorcycle ride and this year $90,060 was raised. Smith said this organization, its kids and his Gold Wing motorcycle, as well as his work, take up all his time.

He and Joyce would love to ride their Gold Wings to Alaska one day.

Smith, his wife and mother-in-law live in Weatherly and attend Westwood Church. Between Bill and Joyce, there are three children and seven grandchildren.

He believes in taking life a day at the time and not letting the “potholes” keep you down.

“Life is a learning experience — take each day as it comes. I’ve always worked to have whatever I needed. I am blessed,” he said.

Sandra Thames is a community columnist for Alabaster. She can be reached by e–mail at bobthames1942@yahoo.com.