William R. Smith, 90; Founder of Snapper Lawn Mower Maker

William R. Smith, 90, an engineer with no formal college training who taught at Georgia Tech and founded the manufacturer of Snapper self-propelled lawn mowers, died Saturday in McDonough, Ga., of a heart attack.

Smith worked in engineering jobs in Marietta, Ga., and New York, once helping to design interiors of the B-29 Superfortress bomber.

But he was always on the lookout for products to manufacture, and when he saw the self-propelled lawn mower built by Florida brothers Neal and Alex Smith -- no relation -- he bought their patents.

Because the mower looked like a turtle shell, Smith dubbed it Snapping Turtle, later shortening the name to Snapper. He built his company in his native Henry County, Ga., south of Atlanta, and made Snapper into the county’s largest employer. Smith even designed his company’s original logo -- a turtle in top hat, bow tie and spats.

Smith also became a major benefactor of his county.

He helped to establish a youth baseball program, fund education and provide a historic house for the county’s genealogical society.