Billy Joe "Bud" Smith

Billy Joe “Bud” Smith, age 74, of Columbia, passed away on June 24, 2017 at Maury Regional Medical Center.

Billy Joe was born on February 12, 1943 in Lawrenceburg, Tennessee to Hulett Reab Smith and Mary Frances Lutts Smith. On June 7, 1962 Billy Joe married the love of his life, Sandra Carolyn Elam and the two built a beautiful life together, loving each other through good times and bad, stuck together with the “super glue” that comes only from the Lord. Bud’s son remembers that his dad taught him values like respect, don’t raise your voice or your hand to a woman for any reason, take care of your business and handle your problems like a man. He led by example, demonstrating a strong work ethic daily. He believed in the old sayings, “if you don’t work, you don’t eat”, “do an honest day’s work for an honest day’s pay” and “always give 110%”. His daughters recall that he wanted his family to be happy and to love each other always. Each time they would leave after a visit he would remind them that he was happy and proud of them and to take care of their families.

He also taught them to have fun, especially instilling in them a love of travel and taking time to enjoy God’s creation. The family spent many holidays, vacations and summers at a cabin at Shoal Creek, where Bud loved fishing and the fish were always biting. He loved any water source whether it be there at Shoal Creek or enjoying the ocean. Storms were a fascination to him and he taught the children to take time to listen to the rain. They spent many hours together on Pelican Walk in Panama City listening and watching the rain.

In all of Billy Joe’s life, a recurring theme was played – the theme of faith and faithfulness. He and Sandra celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with dear friends, Andrew and Dera Shadel riding around in a Classic Car and acting like teenagers. And once again, just a few days before his passing, they celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary. They served the Lord together all these years. Billy Joe always had a smile and a good clean joke, because he knew and trusted His Lord, even throughout twenty years of fighting a severe illness. One of his favorite Bible verses attests to this: For as a man thinketh in his heart, so is he. Proverbs 23:7a. And that is what Billy Joe was – faithful servant of Jesus, loving husband, dedicated father, adoring grandfather and wonderful friend to many – putting his faith into living action.

Billy Joe is survived by his loving wife: Sandra Smith of Columbia; children: Chris (Julie) Smith of Columbia; Tracy (Brian) Goldsmith of Ardmore, Alabama and Sandie (Danny) Bennett of Columbia; grandchildren: Megan (Brent) Craig, Marvin Haywood, Tracy (Ben) Kittrell, Justin Goldsmith, Shelby Goldsmith, Carson Reab Goldsmith, Kaitlyn (Adam) Thomas and Seth Bennett; great-grandchildren: Audrey Kittrell and Bentley Kittrell; siblings: Jim (Leona) Smith and Kennie Walker; and his furry babies: Lonnie, Lola, Tanner and Doodle. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his brother-in-law: Billy Walker and his precious fur baby: Penelope.

Funeral services for Billy Joe will be held on Wednesday, June 28, 2017 at 1:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Williams Funeral Home in Columbia with Pastor Tracy Cameron officiating. Burial will follow at Polk Memorial Gardens. The family will visit with friends on Tuesday, June 27 from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. also at the funeral home.

Brian Goldsmith, Justin Goldsmith, Marvin Haywood, Carson Reab Goldsmith, Adam Thomas, Danny Bennett and Seth Bennett will serve as pallbearers. Fellow workers of Occidental Chemical Company, friends and members of Central Christian Church, doctors and nurses at Maury Regional Medical Center, close friends: James Reedy, Al McKenna, Mark Rynearson, Dennis Satterfield and John Hilton, Brent Craig and Ben Kittrell will serve as honorary pallbearers. A special remembrance and appreciation goes to his special cousin Doug Smith who has recently passed away.

Williams Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements and online condolences may be made to the family at www.williamsfh.com .