William David "Billy" Smith

William David “Billy” Smith of Cobbtown and husband of Reba Findley Smith, died early Friday, September 7, 2018 at Meadows Regional Medical Center in Vidalia.

William David “Billy” Smith was born to Neil M. and Gladys Powell Smith on December 7, 1933, in Tattnall County, Georgia. He began his education at Cedar Creek School in the Cedar Creek Community near Collins, Ga. He graduated from Collins High School in 1951 and was a member of the F.F.A. and the F.F.A. quartet. Billy served 8 years in the Georgia National Guard of Reidsville, Ga. He was instrumental in forming The Hymnsmen Quartet and sang with the group for 52 years. He was also a 20 year member of the Tattnall County Hospital Authority and retired as a school bus driver from Tattnall County after 30 years.

Billy began his farming career in 1954, by farming with his daddy and renting neighboring land. As his love for farming progressed over the years, he eventually began a new venture in 1981 of growing Vidalia Sweet Onions. As the demand for onions increased, he founded Smith Farms in Cobbtown, Ga., which is still operated by family members.  In addition to his parents, Mr. Smith was preceded in death by a son, David Terry Smith and his brother, Harry Smith, and two infant brothers.

He is survived by his wife of almost 65 years, Reba Findley Smith; son, Keith (Janie) Smith; daughter, Debra (Ty) Powell; five grand-daughters, Amanda (John) Flener, Monica Smith, Melissa Smith, Carmen (Mack) Waller, and Lauren (Justin) Lindsey; five great-grandchildren, Gabriel, Aston, Layton, Lennox, & Jax; and two sisters, Glenda (Bill) McDaniel & Sandra Cartee; Special family friends, Ashley and Kristin Day & family; and numerous nieces and nephews. 

The funeral service will be held Tuesday, September 11, 2018 at 2 o’clock in the afternoon at Metter Primitive Baptist Church.  The family will receive friends from 1 o’clock until the funeral hour on Tuesday at the church.

Interment will be in Cedar Creek Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery.

Remembrances may be made to the Metter Primitive Baptist Church, 210 South Kennedy Street, Metter, Georgia  30439.

Guestbook:  www.kennedyfuneralhomechapels.com

Kennedy Funeral Homes, Cobbtown Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.

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