William "Billy" Joseph Smith

WILLIAM "BILLY" JOSEPH SMITH, age 80 of Mt. Airy went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, October 2, 2007. Born in Banks County, Georgia on April 1, 1927, he was the son of the late William Joshua Smith and Lucy Ward Smith. His father died weeks before his birth and his mother passed away when he was only a year old. Even during the difficult days of the Great Depression, Billy had a good childhood. His oldest brother, Hollis made a promise to their mother that the family would not be separated. This group of orphaned children was wealthy beyond imagination, not with material things but with love. Theirs was a bond that endures to this day extended to the cousins, nieces and nephews. He left to join his wife of sixty years, Evelyn Loudermilk Smith who passed away on April 19, 2006. He also joined his brothers and sisters, Hollis Smith, Emma Smith, Zadie Smith Broome, Fannie Smith Simmons, Clarence Smith, Clyde Smith, Buford Smith, and Bernice Smith. He is survived by one sister, Gladys Smith McCoy of Mt. Airy, GA. Billy was a loving husband and father who enjoyed hunting, fishing, and his dogs. He worked for over thirty years with International Furniture (Schnadig Corporation). His children are reminded often that he was a good supervisor and friend. Though his career was making things of wood, his love was the people who surrounded him and his greatest contributions are measured by the lives he touched. He was a member of Camp Creek Baptist Church for forty-seven years. He is survived by five children and their families: Linda and Barry Church, Dwayne and Mary Smith, all of Mt. Airy, GA; Eddie Smith, Clemson, SC; Sherry and Marvin Hudson, Washington, GA; Terry Smith, Cornelia, GA; Ten grandchildren: David Banks, Mt. Airy, GA; Shann Miller, Cleveland, GA; De Anne and Dr. Jon Hobbs, Concord, NC and Brentt Church, New York, NY; Becky and Lee Eernisse, Toccoa, GA; Jodi Smith, Cornelia, GA; Zack and Chasity Hudson, Anderson, SC; Breckyn Hudson, Washington, GA; Tyler Smith, Baldwin, GA; Taylor Smith, Clarkesville, GA; Fifteen grandchildren: Cameron, Cassie, and Courtney Banks; Caitlyn and Gracie Miller; Madison, William, and Julia Hobbs; Taylor, Laura, Jonathan, and David Eernisse; Rachel and Abbie McKenna; and Camden Hudson. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday from the Camp Creek Baptist Church with Dr. Bill Barrs, Dr. Harry Rudasill, and Rev. Donald Grizzle officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends at the Whitfield Funeral Home, North Chapel, Demorest, from 6 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday and from 2 to 4 and 6 to 9 p.m. on Thursday. ARRANGEMENTS ARE IN THE CARE OF WHITFIELD FUNERAL HOME, NORTH CHAPEL, DEMOREST, GEORGIA.