Willis "Billy" Oscar Smith Jr.

Willis O. (Billy) Smith, Jr., 87, died February 12, 2015, at Summerford Rehab Center in Falkville, AL. He is preceded in death by his father, W.O. (Bill) Smith, Sr., mother, Flora Armstrong Smith, and his wife, Martha Burns Terry Smith. Survivors include his daughters, Billie Burgess Collier, of Lawrenceville, GA, Becky Smith O'Shields (Bob) of Decatur, and Beth Smith Butler (Jeff), of Somerville; three grandchildren, Jason Collier of Lawrenceville, GA, Kristy Hilley (Brad) of Dawsonville, GA, and Greg Butler of Hartselle. Mr. Smith was a member of Antioch United Methodist Church, in Somerville, AL.

Mr. Smith was a retired photographer and worked for many years as Chief Photographer and Photographic Editor at The Decatur Daily, and later for a NASA contactor. He was a member of the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame for contributions in cinematography. He also co-owned, with business partner and life-long friend, Carl Dow, DS CINE LAB, Inc. in Decatur during 1958-91, which filmed, processed, printed, and edited sports films for North Alabama and South Tennessee High Schools and Colleges. He received an award from the Hartselle Athletic Booster Club recognizing 25 years of outstanding service to the Hartselle Tigers. He received the Publisher's Award from the Decatur Daily for Journalistic Excellence in 1976, as well as the Award of Excellence for Journalistic Excellence. Mr. Smith received numerous first, second, and third place awards from the Associated Press and Alabama Press Association for photography from 1952-1983.

Visitation will be at Roselawn Funeral Home, in Decatur, on Sunday, February 15, 2015, from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm with graveside services immediately following, by Reverend Orville Collins, of Oak Park Baptist Church of Decatur.

In lieu of flowers, the family request contributions to Hospice of the Valley, or a favorite charity.