Billy Earl Smith

Bill graduated from Peachland High School in 1948 and moved to Charlotte soon after to begin his lifelong career of electrical work. His dream of building his own business came to reality in 1963 when he opened Smith Electric of Charlotte and kept this business alive until 2003.

Through a blind date on December 26, 1959, he met the love of his life, Dottie (Faulk) Smith, and married her on November 1, 1960. He was so proud to become a father in 1961 with the birth of his little “buddy”, David, and 18 months later to receive a birthday gift “he could never pay for” with the shared birthday of his daughter, Laura.

His favorite time of year has been from Thanksgiving to Christmas day, where he had the absolute joy of playing Santa Claus for numerous charitable organizations. Beginning with the Carrousel Parade on Thanksgiving day in Charlotte, the events would then include Presbyterian Hospital Children’s Christmas Party and even visiting late Christmas Eve to those children in the hospital who could not be home for this special night. Christmas morning would begin with a visit before breakfast to the women of Dove’s Nest, followed by the men of Charlotte Rescue Mission. He and Dottie felt the joy was as much for them as Santa did for others but, were also quick to remind others that “Jesus is the reason for the season” and while Santa was fun, he was not to be the entire focus.

Bill’s love for the Lord was also shown through active involvement in the local church. He was a long time member of Allen Street Baptist, later Shamrock Drive Baptist. When Dottie began playing the organ at Green Memorial Baptist, they both embraced this church. He recently moved his membership to Hickory Grove Baptist, where he missed attending during his illness.

As well as the membership in church, Bill was a member of the Phalanx Lodge Number 31, honorary member of James K. Polk Lodge Number 759, Scottish Rite Temple Charlotte, and Oasis Shrine Temple.

He is survived by his son, David and his wife, Crystal, and his daughter, Laura, and her husband, Phil Prince. He dearly loved his grandchildren, Jonathan and Jeremy Smith, and Joshua and his wife, Amber, Jordan, Jacob and his fiance’, Jenna Whitt, Hannah and Mary Martha Prince. He is also survived by his brother, Donald E. Smith of Waxhaw, North Carolina; and sister-in-law, Hannah Smith of Spartanburg, South Carolina. He was preceded in death of his beloved Dottie, who he could not wait to see again, as well as his parents, his brother, Joe Smith and sister, Jahala Wright.

His family will receive friends 3:00 until 6:00 p.m. Sunday, December 13, at McEwen Funeral Service, Mint Hill Chapel, 7428 Matthews-Mint Hill Road in Mint Hill. A funeral service will be held 11:00 a.m. Monday at Hickory Grove Baptist Church, Main Campus, 6050 Hickory Grove Road in Charlotte. Interment will follow in Sharon Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Shriners Hospitals for Children, 2900 Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, Florida 33607 or The Masonic Home for Children at Oxford, 600 College Street, Oxford, North Carolina 27565.

Arrangements under the direction of McEwen Funeral Service, Mint Hill Chapel, Mint Hill, North Carolina.