1927
William
2018
William Smith
December 4, 1927 — May 30, 2018
William Reginald Smith
December 4, 1927-May 30, 2018
MILLEDGEVILLE, GA
William Reginald Smith, 90, known to many friends and family as "Bo" or "Smitty" passed away at the Georgia War Veterans Home on May 30, 2018 in Milledgeville, Georgia following a lengthy illness. He was born in Hickox, Brantley County, Georgia on December 4, 1927 to the late Hester Herrin Smith and William Henry Owen Smith. He graduated from Nahunta High School in 1943 at age 15 and, from age 16, worked as a welder building "Liberty Ships," at the J.A. Jones Construction Company shipyard in Brunswick, Georgia until the end of the war in 1945.
Mr. Smith was a Veteran of the United States Navy, proudly serving from 1946 to 1948. During his naval service, he served aboard the destroyer, USS Chevalier, DD-805. Following his military service, he attended South Georgia College, after which he farmed for several years. For most of his civilian career, Mr. Smith worked at W.E. Johnson Equipment Company in Hialeah, Florida as company Comptroller for over thirty years. Returning to Georgia in 1989, he worked at Okefenokee Rural Electric Membership Corporation until his retirement.
"Bo" was of the Catholic faith and a member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Brunswick, where he served as Eucharistic Minister. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus.
He is preceded in death by his parents; his lovely wife of 45 years, Grace Ursaline Stiglets Smith; daughter, Jennifer Leigh Smith; sister, Effie S. Middleton and her husband, Emory; sister, Carolyn S. Lewis and her husband, Norman; and infant sister Paunee Smith. He is survived by his daughter, Kathryn S. Fox and her husband Tony of Forsyth, Georgia; son Michael D. Smith of Concord, North Carolina; brother, James L. Smith and his wife, Molly of Perry, Georgia; three grandchildren, Madison Leigh Smith, Lauryn Grace Fox and Korbin Michael Smith; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was a kind-hearted, loving father, Papa, and brother who had a great but subtle sense of humor. He was especially proud of his children and particularly adored his grandchildren. He will be dearly missed by his family and friends.
The family wishes to express their appreciation to the dedicated caregivers at the Georgia War Veterans Home who cared for and assisted him during his residence there.
Funeral services for Mr Smith will be held on June 2, 2018: Family will receive visitors from 1 PM until 2:30 PM at Frye Funeral Home in Nahunta, Georgia. Graveside service will follow, at 3 PM, at New Hope Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery in Hickox, Georgia. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully suggests donations be given in his memory to the church or charity of your choice.
Arrangements are with Fairhaven Funeral Home, Macon, Georgia and Frye Funeral Home, Nahunta, Georgia.
December 4, 1927-May 30, 2018
MILLEDGEVILLE, GA
William Reginald Smith, 90, known to many friends and family as "Bo" or "Smitty" passed away at the Georgia War Veterans Home on May 30, 2018 in Milledgeville, Georgia following a lengthy illness. He was born in Hickox, Brantley County, Georgia on December 4, 1927 to the late Hester Herrin Smith and William Henry Owen Smith. He graduated from Nahunta High School in 1943 at age 15 and, from age 16, worked as a welder building "Liberty Ships," at the J.A. Jones Construction Company shipyard in Brunswick, Georgia until the end of the war in 1945.
Mr. Smith was a Veteran of the United States Navy, proudly serving from 1946 to 1948. During his naval service, he served aboard the destroyer, USS Chevalier, DD-805. Following his military service, he attended South Georgia College, after which he farmed for several years. For most of his civilian career, Mr. Smith worked at W.E. Johnson Equipment Company in Hialeah, Florida as company Comptroller for over thirty years. Returning to Georgia in 1989, he worked at Okefenokee Rural Electric Membership Corporation until his retirement.
"Bo" was of the Catholic faith and a member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Brunswick, where he served as Eucharistic Minister. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus.
He is preceded in death by his parents; his lovely wife of 45 years, Grace Ursaline Stiglets Smith; daughter, Jennifer Leigh Smith; sister, Effie S. Middleton and her husband, Emory; sister, Carolyn S. Lewis and her husband, Norman; and infant sister Paunee Smith. He is survived by his daughter, Kathryn S. Fox and her husband Tony of Forsyth, Georgia; son Michael D. Smith of Concord, North Carolina; brother, James L. Smith and his wife, Molly of Perry, Georgia; three grandchildren, Madison Leigh Smith, Lauryn Grace Fox and Korbin Michael Smith; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was a kind-hearted, loving father, Papa, and brother who had a great but subtle sense of humor. He was especially proud of his children and particularly adored his grandchildren. He will be dearly missed by his family and friends.
The family wishes to express their appreciation to the dedicated caregivers at the Georgia War Veterans Home who cared for and assisted him during his residence there.
Funeral services for Mr Smith will be held on June 2, 2018: Family will receive visitors from 1 PM until 2:30 PM at Frye Funeral Home in Nahunta, Georgia. Graveside service will follow, at 3 PM, at New Hope Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery in Hickox, Georgia. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully suggests donations be given in his memory to the church or charity of your choice.
Arrangements are with Fairhaven Funeral Home, Macon, Georgia and Frye Funeral Home, Nahunta, Georgia.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of William Smith, please visit our flower store.
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