Billy Smith
December 2, 1919 — May 7, 2008
Billy Smith
Bill Jack (B.J.) Smith, 88, of Waco, passed away Wednesday, May 7, 2008. Graveside services will be 3 p.m. Saturday, May 10, 2008 at White Hill Cemetery in Woodway with Bruce Mercer officiating. Visitation will be 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, May 9, at OakCrest Funeral Home, 4520 Bosque Blvd.
Bill was born in Cleburne on December 2nd 1919 to Norman William Smith and Edna (Ball) Smith. His early life was marked by the untimely death of his mother when Bill was 12 years old. This event was followed by the death of his father several years later. At this time Bill went to live with family friends, the Lokey's, in Lubbock while attending Texas Tech University.
During this time Bill met Betty Jo Ellison of Crosbyton, and they were married on December 6th 1941 the day before the Attack on Pearl Harbor. This event interrupted best laid plans for Bill and Betty as it did with many others of that era. Nonetheless, the timing of their marriage and the beginning of the war led them far from home when Bill enlisted. Betty moved to Berkley, California to be near Bill who was stationed at Treasure Island across Oakland Bay from San Francisco.
Bill was trained by the Navy as a Fire Control Coordinator on a troop transport vessel and saw action in the South Pacific; Okinawa, Guam, and other way points for Navy vessels at that time.
As the War ended Bill and Betty moved to Tucson where Bill was employed by the War Assets Commission whose responsibility it was to liquidate war materials and surplus equipment.
As this type of work drew to a close, Bill and Betty moved to Dallas where Bill worked as Sales Representative for various companies until moving to Waco in 1952. Bill later represented Southern Supply Company of Dallas where he received Outstanding Sales Achievement Awards in 1972, 1973, 1974 and 1977. He retired from Southern Supply Company in 1984 and Bill and Betty traveled throughout the US and visited Europe on two occasions.
Bill was a long time member of the Crestview Church of Christ and was a 32nd Degree Mason.
He is preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Norma Dyke; and son, Clinton Smith.
He is survived by his wife Betty Jo of 67 years; son, Russell and wife Terrie of Eastland County; and four grandchildren, Russell Kyle Smith of Dallas, Clint Smith of Hawaii, Jana Smith of Mesa, AZ, and Mark Smith of Victoria.
The family asks that contributions to the Alzheimer's Association be made in lieu of flowers.
Bill was born in Cleburne on December 2nd 1919 to Norman William Smith and Edna (Ball) Smith. His early life was marked by the untimely death of his mother when Bill was 12 years old. This event was followed by the death of his father several years later. At this time Bill went to live with family friends, the Lokey's, in Lubbock while attending Texas Tech University.
During this time Bill met Betty Jo Ellison of Crosbyton, and they were married on December 6th 1941 the day before the Attack on Pearl Harbor. This event interrupted best laid plans for Bill and Betty as it did with many others of that era. Nonetheless, the timing of their marriage and the beginning of the war led them far from home when Bill enlisted. Betty moved to Berkley, California to be near Bill who was stationed at Treasure Island across Oakland Bay from San Francisco.
Bill was trained by the Navy as a Fire Control Coordinator on a troop transport vessel and saw action in the South Pacific; Okinawa, Guam, and other way points for Navy vessels at that time.
As the War ended Bill and Betty moved to Tucson where Bill was employed by the War Assets Commission whose responsibility it was to liquidate war materials and surplus equipment.
As this type of work drew to a close, Bill and Betty moved to Dallas where Bill worked as Sales Representative for various companies until moving to Waco in 1952. Bill later represented Southern Supply Company of Dallas where he received Outstanding Sales Achievement Awards in 1972, 1973, 1974 and 1977. He retired from Southern Supply Company in 1984 and Bill and Betty traveled throughout the US and visited Europe on two occasions.
Bill was a long time member of the Crestview Church of Christ and was a 32nd Degree Mason.
He is preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Norma Dyke; and son, Clinton Smith.
He is survived by his wife Betty Jo of 67 years; son, Russell and wife Terrie of Eastland County; and four grandchildren, Russell Kyle Smith of Dallas, Clint Smith of Hawaii, Jana Smith of Mesa, AZ, and Mark Smith of Victoria.
The family asks that contributions to the Alzheimer's Association be made in lieu of flowers.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Billy Smith, please visit our flower store.
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