Billy R. Smith

1934 - 2020

Billy R. Smith, 85, of Dyersburg, Tennessee, died on Wednesday, June 24, 2020, at West Tennessee Healthcare-Dyersburg Hospital in Dyersburg, Tennessee.
Born Wednesday, October 3, 1934, in Gadsden, Alabama, he was the son of the late William M. Smith and the late Ethel Gage Smith. Mr. Smith studied Business at the University of Alabama, and also attended Columbia University in New York. He began his newspaper career at an early age, working as a carrier for The Gadsden Times in Gadsden, Alabama, where he was later promoted to Circulation Manager. After leaving Gadsden, he worked for the Montgomery Advertiser as their Circulation Manager. He then assumed the position as Circulation Manager for the Bristol Herald Courier in Bristol, Tennessee. In 1972, he moved to Dyersburg, Tennessee, where he served as Publisher for the State Gazette, leaving in 1980 to become the Publisher for the Southwest Times in Pulaski, Virginia. Mr. Smith then moved back to Dyersburg, Tennessee, in 1995 and was the Publisher for the State Gazette before retiring in 1999. He was a Paul Harris Fellow of Rotary International; former member of the Pulaski Community Hospital Board in Pulaski, Virginia; and member of the Dyersburg Church of God. If anyone knew Mr. Billy, you knew that he was an avid University of Alabama football fan.
Funeral services for Mr. Smith will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, June 27, 2020, in the Chapel of Johnson-Williams Funeral Home. Officiating the service will be Pastor Joseph Ballinger. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. Saturday at Johnson-Williams Funeral Home. Graveside services will be 2 p.m. Monday, June 29, 2020, at Crestwood Cemetery in Gadsden, Alabama, with Rev. Jack Smith officiating.
He leaves to cherish his memory, one daughter, Debbie Funderburk (Terry) of Dyersburg, Tennessee; three sons, Randy Smith of Dyersburg, Tennessee, Ron Smith (Barbara) of Southaven, Mississippi, and Rick Smith of Dyersburg, Tennessee; two sisters, Jane Daughdrill (King) and Shirley Robertson, both of Gadsden, Alabama; one brother, Rev. Jack Smith (Carol) of Gadsden, Alabama; four grandchildren, Jason Funderburk (Amanda) of Newbern, Tennessee, Brooke Weaver (Scott) of Hoover, Alabama, Lori Knight (Brandon) of Memphis, Tennessee, and Kathrine Owens (Josh) of Memphis, Tennessee; and eight great-grandchildren, Eric Funderburk, Aniston Funderburk, Grace Weaver, Gwen Weaver, Christian Crowder, Kaylie Crowder, Taylor Crowder and Madison Knight.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Shirley Jean Cole Smith; one brother, LeeRoy Smith; one sister, Gloria Countryman; and a granddaughter, Kaitlyn Smith.
The family asks that in lieu of flowers, memorials be directed to the Alzheimer's Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave., 17th Floor, Chicago, IL 60601-7633; or online at donorservicesinfo@alz.org.
Online condolences may be made to the family at johnsonwilliamsfuneralhome.com. Johnson-Williams Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Billy R. Smith.