Billy Alberta Smith's Obituary
Billy A. "Bill" Smith, 88, of Albemarle, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, at Stanly Manor surrounded by his loving family. His funeral service will be held at 2:00 PM on Friday at Union Chapel Methodist Church, with burial to follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends on Wednesday evening from 6:00 until 8:00 PM at Stanly Funeral and Cremation Care.
Born December 21, 1936, in Stanly County, NC, Bill was the son of the late Allen Prince Smith and Katherine Richardson Smith. He was a devoted member of Union Chapel Methodist Church. Bill retired from Alcoa and later worked with Stanly County at the Convenience Site near the Agri-Civic Center. He was also one of the founding members of the Stanly County Beekeepers Association and an active member of the North Carolina State Beekeepers Association.
Bill's family remembers him as a good and honorable man-considerate, kind-hearted, generous, determined, and steadfast in his devotion to those he loved. A man of deep faith, he lived out his beliefs not through loud declarations but through quiet, consistent acts of love, service, and compassion. He cherished his family above all else. When his daughters were young, he often sang "I'll Fly Away" and "Just a Little Talk with Jesus"-songs that remained special to him throughout his life. His heart overflowed with faith, love, and generosity, and he shared each freely.
Bill is survived by his wife, Sylvia A. Smith; daughters Traci Smith of New London and Debbie Rinehardt (Gary) of Albemarle; sister Linda Brodt of New London; brother Ray Smith (Della) of Badin; two grandsons, C.J. Oliver (Nicole) of New London and Chase Rinehardt (Hattie) of Albemarle; and three great-grandchildren: Cora Rinehardt, Wilkes Rinehardt, and Odin Oliver.
He was preceded in death by a great-grandson, Sawyer Rinehardt, and by his four sisters: Lucille Beane, Cora Vanhoy, Earlene Bloxsom, and Gladys Huneycutt.
Memorials may be made to Union Chapel Methodist Church, 24361 South Business 52, Albemarle, NC 28001.
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