W. D. Smart, “Bill” to his friends, was born and raised in the United States Midwest and later lived in various cities on the West Coast and in the Deep South. He has eight adult children and fifteen grandchildren. His education includes undergraduate degrees in Liberal Arts and Computer Science and Engineering. He also has a Master’s Degree in Business Administration.

​​​​​​​For most of his life, Bill’s professional focus has been working as an information-technology consultant designing data-based business solutions and building descriptive and predictive analytic models for companies all over the world. His work has allowed him to travel broadly and spend significant time living and working in North and South America, Europe, Africa, India, Australia, and Asia.

​​​​​​​Bill also holds a USCG Master Captain’s license, has worked captaining oil rig supply boats in the Gulf of Mexico, has sailed extensively, and has studied and practiced zen for over fifty years.

​​​​​​​ Bill is now retired and lives in the mountains of Central Thailand where he writes, tends a small farm with his wife on which they grow tamarinds, mangoes, bananas, limes, tapioca, and pepper; and helps manage their rice fields in a nearby valley.