William Edward Smith

William Edward Smith (Bill), son of Mae Davis and James Smith of Selma, North Carolina, died peacefully on June 20, 2023. He was 92 years old. He was a graduate of Selma High School and graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1953. He served in the U.S. Army in Germany and Monterey, California, after which he began his 36-year career with Burlington Industries. He married Anne Graham of Pembroke, NC, in 1959. The family moved to Clarksville, Virginia, where he was a member of Clarksville Presbyterian Church for 52 years. He served as an Elder, Deacon and on numerous committees. He volunteered in the public schools in Clarksville as a Backpack Buddy. He was proceeded in death by his wife, Anne Graham Smith, and he is survived by his children, Jeff Smith and wife, Sherri; Martha Collett and husband, Will Sharp, and Margaret Johnson. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Ruffin Collett, Elliot Johnson, Smith Collett, Clark Johnson, Toddy Collett, Louis Johnson, Caroline Smith and Mattie Johnson. He loved fishing at the Outer Banks of North Carolina and shared his passion for fishing with his son, grandchildren, and anyone else who was willing. He was an avid gardener and loved to spend the day tending to his plants. He loved sharing plants he propagated and delivered many flowers that he grew to the nursing home and to shut ins. He was a lifelong and passionate, however frustrated, Tarheel fan. He delighted in spending time with his children and grandchildren and valued highly longstanding friendships, of which he maintained with friends from high school and college with an annual ACC Tournament get together until just a few years ago. He also enjoyed making an annual Brunswick stew which he shared with family and friends. His family is humbled by the care and devotion from his church family and other wonderful friends and neighbors. His family is also without adequate words for their gratitude for the constant friendship and care from Deanne Yager, who they could not have managed without. He was blessed with loving aids and nurses at Clarksville Health and Rehabilitation. His family is deeply grateful for the care of Amedisys Hospice. A memorial service to celebrate his life will be held at Clarksville Presbyterian Church on July 6th at 1:00pm with a reception following. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to WCPE The Classical Station, PO Box 828, Wake Forest NC 27588 (theclassicalstation.org) of which he was a longtime supporter.