Wilbur Franklin Smith Jr.

Wilbur Franklin Smith Jr. (Billy) passed away peacefully, after a short illness, at his home in Longs, South Carolina on August 3, 2020 surrounded by family and friends. He was born in Hamlet, NC on December 7, 1945 to the late Wilbur Franklin Smith Sr. and Martha Ellen (Williams) Smith. As a young boy Billy came to know Jesus at Park Avenue Presbyterian Church in Rockingham, NC. Bill graduated from Rockingham High School in 1965. Afterwards, he went on to proudly serve his country as an enlisted member of the United States Navy during the Vietnam War, serving from 1965 thru 1970. He was honorably discharged from the US Navy on January 13, 1970 with the rank of Petty Officer 3rd Class Avionics Technician. He served with honor and pride alongside his shipmate Henry Ackerman on the USS Forrestal, USS Kitty Hawk, and the USS Intrepid. He earned several commendations among these were: 1. The National Defense Service Medal, 2. The Vietnam Service Medal, 3. The Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, 4. Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon. On August 10, 1969 he married his wife of 50 years, Betty Jean Taylor at Tranquil United Methodist Church in Mullins, South Carolina with many family and friends in attendance. After his discharge from service, Bill applied for and received a job working for Seaboard coastline as a carman (train car inspector) and that job took him to Charlotte, N.C. where he and his wife Betty raised their two beautiful daughters Wendy Dawn and Cynthia Nicole, and made many wonderful friends. He joined the James K. Polk Masonic Lodge No. 759 in June of 1986 to better serve his community. Upon his retirement in 2017, he and Betty fulfilled their lifelong dream of retiring to the beach.

He was a man of many talents. He enjoyed boating, fishing, home repairs, and growing delicious tomatoes. Billy was a lifelong learner. Billy graduated from Gaston College where he earned his certificate of achievement in Criminal Justice. He was always acquiring new talents including becoming a Certified Radio Hamm Operator with call sign: KM4JQS. He enjoyed learning from YouTube videos and could repair almost anything. He was a helper to all. Billy would literally give you the hat off his head and did so for a boy in St. Lucia who admired his cap. He was very caring of elderly relatives, friends, and neighbors, especially his beloved mother-in-law Sallie who he could always make smile with a car ride and a frosty. He was an avid traveler, having sailed over 70 times alongside his wife Betty and friends Denny and Edie Johnson. Billy had a special fondness for the blue waters of the Caribbean.

Billy is survived by his beautiful bride of 50 years, Betty Taylor Smith; their two loving daughters Wendy Kaplar (Dr. Robert Kaplar) of Albuquerque, NM and Nicole Smith (Marshall Hinson) of Charlotte, NC; four cherished granddaughters Lindsey Alicia Melton, Madison Brielle Melton, Alexis Starr Melton, and Georgiana Catherine Hinson; his caring sisters Barbara Britt (Richard) of Raleigh, NC, and Faith Mulenex (Tom) of Springfield, IL and many adoring nieces and nephews. Billy will be lovingly missed by all who knew him, including his lifelong friends, Denny and Edith Johnson of Rockingham, NC, Hank and Kathy Ackerman of Lake Hopatcong, NJ, Bill Doolittle (Cheryl) of Summerville, NC, and Melvin and Judy Hill of Reidsville, NC. The family would like to extend a special thanks to our neighbors and friends Mel and Carol Falk who have been especially kind and giving during our time of grief.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting contributions be made to the Duke Cancer Institute Eisert Research Fund for Pancreatic Cancer.