[4] In 1943, Smyth enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and was assigned to the V-12 Navy College Training Program at Pennsylvania State University.

[5][6] Smyth later served in the Pacific Theatre of World War II and participated in the first day landings in the Battle of Iwo Jima.

[8] Smyth was selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the seventh round (53rd overall pick) of the 1947 NFL draft.

[12] He later served as an assistant coach for the Ottawa Rough Riders of the Canadian Football League for 11 seasons from 1956 to 1966.

[13][14] In July 1967, the Rough Riders celebrated Bill Smyth Night and paid tribute to the former coach before a crowd of 13,000 fans.