Bill Smith

William E. “Bill” Smith, 87, of Wilson, died Saturday, December 5, 2020.

Funeral, Thursday, 2:00 PM at Evergreen Memorial Park.

It is with heavy hearts the family announces his passing after his valiant fight with Alzheimer’s.  Bill’s love of family was unmatched.  He loved us all without exception.  He loved people and never met a stranger or anyone he could not easily talk with.  Bill believed in honesty and integrity and stressed the importance of both to his children.  He proudly served in the Marine Corps during the Korean War and held true to the saying: Once a Marine, Always a Marine.

Bill was a former Director of Alumni at Atlantic Christian College (now Barton), Wilson Housing Authority, Sales Manager at the former Paul Berry Chevrolet and General Manager of the former James Finch Chevrolet.  He was a Mason, Shriner and member of First Christian Church.  His friends were many.

Surviving him is his wife, and love of his life, Jane Reid Smith; daughters, Dana Flye (Pete) and Kathy Wrenn (Keith) of Roxboro and Susan Brumfield (Steve) of Stantonsburg; sons, Bill Smith (Rose) of Charles City, VA and Stephen Glover (Denise) of Elm City; niece, Amy Lassister Hardin (Jeff) of Lewisville; nine grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, William Lincoln Smith of Goldsboro and Leatha Edgerton Howell of Kinston; sister, Jennie Smith Lassiter and brother-in-law, Melvin Lassiter, of Kinston; nephew, Michael Lassiter of Kinston.

The family expresses sincere appreciation to Community Hospice and the many caregivers in the memory care unit and the entire staff at Parkwood Village.

“It is written that God comforts us in our sorrow, so that we might comfort others in their sorrow.  We pray the God of all comfort visits us with hope and strength enough to share.”

Please consider memorials to First Christian Church, PO Box 2702, Wilson, NC 27894 and to the Dementia Alliance of NC, 9131 Anson Way, Ste 206, Raleigh, NC 27615.