William "Bill" Smith

William "Bill" Smith Obituary Pastor Dewitt Chappell, Jr. – Officiating Obituary William Smith was born May 22, 1945 in Lumber City, Georgia. He was the ninth of 12 children born to Earnest Smith and Alma (Mc Millian) Smith. He attended and graduated from Central High School. He soon relocated to Cleveland, Ohio in 1966, where he obtained gainful employment at American Bakeries. During that year he met a young lady (Gloria J. Smith). Soon after meeting her he was drafted into the United States Marine Corps. He was stationed in Vietnam from1966 to 1968 and served one year in the reserves. In 1969 he and Gloria were married. They settled in and both began building a life and career together. While working at American Bakeries he later shifted to the business world becoming an entrepreneur by obtaining a Lawson’s Franchise, later known as Dairymart. He built a successful Lawson’s/ Dairymart franchise. After 17 years he sold it and moved into a different segment of retail management by becoming a manager for CVS Pharmacy chain for many years and retiring from that field in 2013. William was a talker, he loved current events, sports. His favorite TV shows were Gunsmoke, Chicago PD, and any good action or drama movie. William departed this life suddenly on June 27, 2023, at University Hospitals, Cleveland, OH. He was surrounded by his devoted wife of 54 years, a brother (Curtis Smith), cousin (Kim Wims), cousin (Victor Chappell), Nephew (Curtis Jr.) and other family members. William was loved by many. William was preceded in death by his parents Alma & Earnest Smith, brothers, Ruth Smith, Earnest Smith Jr., Otha Smith (Johnnie), Grover Smith, Sr. and sisters Mildred Lewis (Johnnie), Rosetta Swain, Doris Butts and Janie Griffin. He leaves to cherish his memory a loving and devoted wife of 54 years, Gloria J. Smith, sisters Carolyn Williams of Miami, Florida, Earnestine Watson (Chamberlain) of Adel, Georgia. Brothers, Richard Smith of Ft. Myers, Florida, Curtis Smith (Cynthia) of Cleveland, OH, Fred Clark (Tina) of Lumber City, Georgia, Winfred Smith (Classie) of Lumber City, Georgia and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of William "Bill" Smith, please visit our floral store. Read More ? Service Program Click to download / open

William "Bill" Smith

May 22, 1945 - June 27, 2023