Willie Fred Smith

Published 10:16 am Friday, December 20, 2013

Funeral services for Willie Fred Smith of Brookhaven are 10 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 21, at Riverwood Family Funeral Service with burial in Wesson Cemetery.

Visitation is Friday from 6 until 9 p.m. at the funeral home.

Mr. Smith, 87, passed away Dec. 19, 2013, at his residence. He was born on June 21, 1926, to Marion Leon Smith and Cora Dell Channell Smith.

He was a veteran of the United States Navy and served in World War II. He was a retired builder and a member of Johnston Station Baptist Church.

He had waited for 67 years for his medals from the United States Navy. They were received the morning of his death. The medals included World War II Victory Medal, American Campaign Medal, Philippine Liberation Medal, Discharge Button, Honorable Service and Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal.

Preceding him in death were his parents; his brothers, Owen Smith and Reginald Smith; sister Mary Lynn Shelton; one brother-in law; three nephews and one grandson.

Survivors are his wife of 60 years, Joyce White Smith; sons, Willie “Sonny” Jones and wife, Nell, of Bolton, Kenneth Smith and wife, Mary, of Summit, and Steve Smith and wife, Gwen, of Brookhaven; his daughter, Joyce M. Dailey of Ringgold, Ga.; brothers, Russell Smith and wife, Betty, of Crystal Springs, Ernie Smith and wife, Linda, of Dentville and Leon Smith and wife, Kandy, of Dentville; sisters, Sue King and Minnie Clark and husband, Larry, both of Dentville. He is also survived by nine grandchildren: Samantha Johnson and husband, Sherwood, of Byram, Michelle Byrd and husband, Mike, of Brandon, April Kimball and husband, Steve, of Bolton, Sende Mitchell and husband, Don, of Roxie, Tracey Parsons and husband, Thomas, of Bolton, Chasity Wall and husband, Vincent, of Brookhaven, Candi Smith and husband, Johnny, of Kodak, Tenn., Casie Fuller and husband, Rodney, and Stephanie Wallace and husband, Craig, both of Brookhaven; 26 great-grandchildren; and 16 great-great grandchildren.

If you would like to leave a comment to the Smith Family, you may do so at www.riverwoodfamily.com