William Lester Smith, age 88, of Fleming Island, FL, passed away on August 23, 2022. He was born in Georgia on March 7, 1934 to Leon Franklin Smith and Lily Esther Smith. He was married to Laverne Johnson Smith for 15 years. William retired, with 26 years of service, as an automotive painter at Mercedes Benz, one of the first people hired when Mercedes opened in this area. He was also a lover of cats and dogs.
He is survived by son Rocky Whitten; nephew Gary Brown (Melinda), niece Bonnie Fregat (George), nephew Glynn Smith (Glenda), nephew Mike Smith (Brenda), niece Sandra Phillips (Chris), niece Cathy McCurry (Tommy), niece Barbara Joyner, nephew Lee Crawford (Susan), niece Debbie Sullivan and a host of grandnieces and nephews.
Preceded in death by his parents Leon F. Smith and Lily Esther Smith; brothers Glynn W. Smith and Thomas L. Smith; and sister Lois Kirkland and Eveline Brown.
A graveside service for William will be held Friday, August 26, 2022 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Riverside Memorial Park, 7242 Normandy Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32205.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hgriversidefuneralhome.com for the Smith family.
