William "Bill" Lerald Smith

William L. Smith walked with Jesus home on May 2, 2022 at 91 years young. Known by many as "Wild Bill", but preferred "Sweet William", he was a lifelong native of Southside, Alabama (Etowah County). He delighted in making friends, telling jokes and making everyone laugh. He explicitly requested no bragging in his obituary and stated that the Good Lord knows all we have done. Over the course of his long life, he became many things to many people, but to his immediate family, he was a dear husband, father, mentor, and friend. He was loved dearly and is already greatly missed.

He was preceded in death by his father, James L. Smith; his mother, Mollie R. Smith; brothers, Leamon and Phillip; sister Betty Skaggs; first wife, Dorothy Sue Whorton; and sons, Ricky and David Smith.

He is survived by his wife, Laura Smith; son, Eli (Lana) Smith; nephew, Jim (Patty) Smith; niece Pamelia Davis; granddaughter, Amanda (Dan) Collins; grandson, Aaron Smith; grandson, Dalton Smith; 3 great-granddaughters Fiona, Elinor, and Cecilia and numerous friends and family throughout the community that he thought the world of.

Visitation for William "Bill" will be held Friday, May 6, 2022 from 1:00 PM to 3:30 PM at Collier Butler Chapel, followed by the funeral service at 3:30 PM. William "Bill" will be laid to rest in Pilgrims Rest Cemetery, Smith Road, Southside, AL 35907.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.collier-butler.com for the Smith family.