The late Willie B. and Alene Chavis Smith proudly announced the birth of their first child, Willie B. Smith Jr., on March 5, 1942 in Fayetteville, North Carolina

Willie attended the Fayetteville public schools and was a graduate of Anne Chestnut High School.

Young Willie moved to Winston-Salem, North Carolina in 1959 and was gainfully employed in the local tobacco industry. On June 1, 1993, he retired from R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company (Bailey Utility Plant) after thirty-six years of dedicated service.

Willie began his early Christian education as a member of Panthersford Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in Red Springs, North Carolina. He enjoyed the fellowship that he found at Grace Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in Winston-Salem, North Carolina and joined that congregation in 1985.

His courageous battle came to an end when Willie answered the call to “come home” at Forsyth Medical Center, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, on Tuesday, April 9, 2013 after an extended period of illness . In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his son, Avery J. Smith and two brothers, Milton D. Smith and Dennis Smith.

Those family members who will forever cherish fond memories of “Bill” include, Christine McNeill Smith, his wife of twenty-eight years; a daughter, Angela Thomas, Spring Lake, North Carolina; a step daughter, Cynthia (Eugene) Parr, Stockbridge, Georgia; a step son, Larry (Brenda) Walters, Parkton, North Carolina; a sister, Darlene S. Brown and two brothers, Edward (Pauline) Smith and Aaron Smith, all of Hope Mills, North Carolina; adopted brother, Calvin Baker of the city; his uncle, Daniel E. (Anne) Smith, of the city; his godmother, Bernice Robinson of the city; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Lessie M. Washington, Fayetteville, North Carolina, Eunice (Hezekiah) Dillahunt, Washington, DC, Gwendolyn (Leroy) Palmer, Lumberton, North Carolina, Patricia Smith, Hope Mills, North Carolina, Eula McNeill, District Heights, Maryland, Leon (Marion) McNeill, Upper Marlboro, Maryland and Vernon J. McNeill, Red Springs, North Carolina; nine grandchildren, one great-grandchild and many other nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 12:00 Noon on Saturday, April 13, 2013 at Grace Presbyterian Church. The family visitation will be at 11:30 AM. The interment will be in Gardens of Memory.