Willene Smith first became interested in quilting when she saw an exhibition of Centennial quilts during the Bi-Centennial celebration. She has been a needlewoman since the age of eight and found the quilts fascinating. Willene attended the first meeting called by Laurene Sinema that was the beginning of the Arizona Quilters Guild.

Willene served as AQG President in 1986. In 1990, she began the Department of Public Safety charity quilt project which is still in operation.  To date, 5,540 quilts have been donated to DPS headquarters to comfort children and others involved in traumatic situations. 

In 1991, Willene and her husband moved to Strawberry.  She was instrumental in forming the Strawberry Patchers in 1994 and the DPS Angels in 2007.  In 2006, the Arizona Quilters Guild named a humanitarian award after her, naming her as the award’s first recipient. 

Willene and her husband are both native Arizonans and have been married for 45 years.  “I am so honored to serve on the Arizona Quilters Hall

Willene’s “23 Batiks” started in a Jackie Robinson retreat, 2006

“Almost 30’s” quilt by Willene Smith.