Billy Patrick Smith's Obituary
Billy Patrick Smith, 83, of New London, passed away Thursday, September 15, 2022 at Trinity Place. His funeral service will be 2:00 pm Sunday, September 18, 2022 at Stony Hill United Methodist Church with Pastor Kaye Fry officiating. Burial will follow in the Palestine United Methodist Church Cemetery where he will be reunited his wife Sarah JoAnn Herlocker Smith. The family will receive friends from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm on Saturday, September 17, 2022 at the funeral home.
Mr. Smith was born October 8, 1938 in Anson County, NC to the late Richmond Elwood Smith and Radie Elizabeth Pope Smith. Mr. Smith was retired from Albemarle Spinning Mills and Stanly County Schools.
“Pete,” “Papa Bear,” or just plain “Papa,” was a simple, hardworking man who enjoyed the simple things in life. He was happiest when he was working outside cutting wood, mowing his yard, fishing in the pond, or riding his ten grandchildren on his Kubota. After a long day of work, he liked to relax by taking a nap on the picnic table underneath the sprawling pecan tree in his front yard. You never saw “Papa” without his ball cap or without a chew of tobacco. For Mr. Smith his actions spoke louder than his words, and he instilled a sense of hard work, devotion, and love to his five children who will miss him terribly.
Mr. Smith is survived by his five children, Billy Patrick Smith, Jr. (Penny), Ann Smith Ruiz (Carlos), Charlie Lee Smith (Tobi), Jonathan David Smith (Jennifer) and Emily Smith Booth (Bryan); grandchildren, Sarah McKinna Estridge, Tyler Ann Estridge, Samuel Earl Estridge, IV, Madison Elizabeth Smith, Charlie Elias Smith, Jonathan Daniel Smith, Jacob David Smith, Keith Loyd Booth, William Patrick Booth and Sarah Catherine Booth; sisters, Lilly Stoker (David) and Betty Garner (Doug). His three brothers, Robert, Walter, and Freddy predeceased him.
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