Thomas William "Bill" Smith

Bill was born in Edgecombe County June 20, 1936 to the late David Carlos Smith Sr. and wife Ruth Elizabeth Smith Smith. The family moved to Raleigh during his early years and lived on Western Boulevard. He attended Mount Vernon Goodwin School and graduated from Cary High School in 1954. He attended NC State University and graduated from Gaston Technical College with a degree in Civil Engineering. He worked for J.W. Coffey, the State of North Carolina and J.W. York Company. He also served in the National Guard for nine years. In 1963, he began working in commercial construction for Ed Richards at North Hills, Incorporated. In 1984 he and his wife founded T.W. Smith Company, commercial contractors.

Bill became a member of nearby Western Boulevard Presbyterian Church in 1961 and was involved in many construction activities of the church and served as Deacon in the church.

Bill enjoyed many different hobbies throughout his life, including woodworking, painting, collecting historical artifacts and especially collecting model trains. Bill was an avid train buff, serving as a Volunteer Train Host for Amtrak trains and enjoying many train trips throughout the United States and Canada. He was able to travel all of Amtrak’s United States routes with family and friends.

A hobby turned into a much loved business during the later years in his life: Fraser Fir Christmas Tree growing. In 1982 he purchased land in Ashe County, North Carolina where he developed Top of the Mountain Christmas Trees, a wholesale and Choose and Cut Christmas Tree Farm that delighted him and his friends alike for 35 years.

Bill is survived by his wife of 56 years, Peggy Joyce Clark Smith; daughters, Joyce Smith of Raleigh and Karen King, son-in-law Jeff King of Raleigh and grandsons Hunter King and Tyler King of Raleigh; sisters-in-law Carol Smith of Erwin, Frances Clark Smith and husband Gerald of Pittsboro, Barbara Clark Pugh of Pittsboro and many special nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brother, David Carlos Smith, Jr. and sister, Frances Hannah Lee.

Following a private graveside service at Historic Oakwood Cemetery in Raleigh, North Carolina, there will be a visitation from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm at Western Boulevard Presbyterian Church on Friday, November 4, 2016. A service to the witness of the Resurrection will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, November 5, 2016 at Western Boulevard Presbyterian Church, 4900 Kaplan Drive Raleigh, NC 27606 with the Rev. Betty Connette officiating. A reception will follow in the church’s fellowship hall.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Western Boulevard Presbyterian Church or Transitions LifeCare of Raleigh.

Condolences may be sent to www.BrownWynneCary.com