Richard Durant "Dick" Smith Jr.

Richard Durand Smith Jr. COLUMBIA - Richard Durand Smith, Jr., 92, of Columbia, died Friday, April 29, 2016. Dick was born November 11, 1923, in Belton, South Carolina. He graduated from Belton High School and moved on to attend The Apprentice School operated by the Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Company in Newport News, Virginia. He then joined the Navy to serve God and his country in World War II. Dick served 36 months in the Pacific and Atlantic Theaters on the USS Hopping DE155/APD51. Following World War II, Dick returned home and earned a Bachelor's degree in Engineering at Clemson College (now Clemson University). Dick married Wilma Mae Williamson on March 3, 1951; they were married 65 years. In 1961 Dick formed a company called Dick Smith Motors, Inc. He soon took on the brand Datsun and achieved success. Eventually, Datsun became Nissan and Dick Smith Motors is now Dick Smith Automotive Group, which sells a variety of car brands. Dick loved owning his own company both the business aspects and the relationships with his employees. He was a very kind hearted man and served God and his community well. He was actively involved in his church (Crescent Hill Baptist Church), employee Bible studies, prison ministry, lay speaking, and also had a home for unwed mothers in Belton, South Carolina. He touched many lives with his loving spirit and will be greatly missed by all who loved him. Dick is survived by his faithful and loving wife, Wilma. He loved her more than words can express. He is also survived by his four children, Richard, III, David and his wife, Ann, Brian and his wife, Diane, and Nancy and her husband, Barry; his grandchildren, Will, Taylor, Zach (Jenny), Jordan, Brittany (Derrick), Brian, Jr., Chelsea, and Cameron; great-grandchildren, Kayla, Zachary, Grace, Charlotte, Carolina Rae and Lily; and stepgrandchildren, Mike (Haley), Richard, Josh (Elle) and Talia. Dick is preceded in death by his parents, Richard Durand Smith, Sr. and Madison (Mattie) Chapman Smith; brothers, Lemuel Andrew Smith and Joseph Richard Smith; sisters, Jessie Smith Barton, Sadie Smith Tracy and her twin, Sara, who passed away at the age of six; three stepbrothers, Guy, Walter and Frank; and a stepsister, Azilee Smith Acker. We would like to express great appreciation to all friends and relatives who have prayed for and visited Dick during his illness and also special thanks to the staff at Atria Forest Lake and National Health Care Center on Parklane Road in Columbia, South Carolina, for the loving care they provided. The funeral service will be held 11 o'clock on Wednesday, May 4th at Crescent Hill Baptist Church with the Rev. Lee Butler officiating. Burial will be held after the funeral at Crescent Hill Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends from 6 until 8 o'clock, Tuesday evening, at Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, 7600 Trenholm Road Ext., Columbia. Memorials may be made to Crescent Hill Baptist Church, 2659 Two Notch Road, Columbia, SC 29204. Memories and condolences may be shared at ShivesFuneralHome.com.