Ron E. Smith was born in Parkersburg, graduated from St. Mary's High School and attended Marshall University. He started in business with a record store called Opus One, but his passion for Mexican cooking led to his opening of Chili Willi's Mexican Cantina in 1983.
The small 32-seat diner at 1019 4th Avenue was so successful that it eventually led to an expanded restaurant on the corner of 13th Street and 4th Avenue. Smith also created ChiliFest in downtown Huntington, which has grown into an event that attracts more than 20,000 people each year. The event is a qualifying cook-off for the International Chili Society's State Championship as well as a fundraiser for Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Tri-State.
Smith served 15 years on the Huntington Urban Renewal Authority and was president of HURA during the time Pullman Square was proposed and completed. He also served on the boards of directors of the Huntington Area Chamber of Commerce, Huntington Main Street, Huntington Municipal Development Authority, Huntington Municipal Parking Board, Ronald McDonald Charities of the Tri-State and is the current president of the parish council of St. George Greek Orthodox Church. He was a finalist in Inc. Magazine-Ernst & Young's West Virginia Entrepreneur of the Year. He graduated in the Leadership Tri-State Class of 1997.
