William Smith

1942 - 2017

William Coulette Smith, Jr.



William Coulette Smith, Jr. ("Bill") 74, a lifelong resident of Tallahassee, FL, unexpectedly passed away in Mayo, FL, doing what he loved, dove hunting, on Monday, January 2, 2017.

With a hammer in one hand and a ladder slung over his shoulder, Bill Smith made his way through a ministry of building for God and man. Bill, along with his wife Linda have worked tirelessly for fourteen years with Builders for Christ all across the country. Locally, he brought the Sanders House and Montgomery House projects to life, both ministry projects of First Baptist. Bill was a 32 year member First Baptist Church of Tallahassee serving for many years as a first grade Sunday School teacher, deacon, chairman of the Property and Maintenance Committee, and singing in both the Sanctuary and Senior First Joy Choir

Born in Tallahassee Florida, the son of the late W.C. and Iris Chason Smith, he accepted Christ as his Savior in 1953 at a Billy Graham Crusade at Doak S. Campbell Stadium and affirmed his decision at Immanuel Baptist Church here in Tallahassee. His favorite Bible verse is Galatians 6:9 - "So let's not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessings, if we don't give up."

Bill met his wife Linda at Immanuel Baptist Church where they were married in 1962 at Immanuel. Bill and Linda have three children, six grandchildren and one great-grand daughter: Leslie Rabitaille and husband, Robert, and their children Joshua and Chason, all of Whigham, GA; Mickie Smith of Tallahassee; and, Trace Smth and wife DeeDee, with children Zack, Gracie, Taylor, of Tallahassee, and Andrea Turner (Hunter) and Kaci Rae, of Montgomery, AL. He is also survived by two brothers, Larry and Joe Smith (Sylvia) and sisters and brother in law Carol and John Vickers and Charlotte Flowers of Tallahassee.

He worked for the National Cash Register Company (NCR) for thirty-three before retiring. He later worked for Bannex until he retired again. He attended FSU Demonstration School, Cobb Middle School and graduated from Leon High in 1960. Even before graduation, he enlisted in the United States Marines where, after his initial 6 months, he served in the reserves until 1971, attaining the rank of Sgt. E5. During his time with the Marines, he was awarded two Meritorious Masts for outstanding performance of duty, won a Bronze Trophy during the 1967 Marine Corps Reserve Service Weapon Championships at Quantico, VA, and received the 1966 Bobby Conrad Award as Marine of the year for the local unit. He was extremely proud of his service as a Marine and truly exemplified the "Once a Marine, always a Marine.".

Bill had a passion for bird hunting, fishing, loved his animals and deeply appreciated nature. He built models of WWII vehicles and enjoyed WWII history. In his younger years he was an avid softball player, enjoyed water and snow skiing - he just enjoyed life in general. But his greatest loves were his Savior, his family, his church. He was compassionate, constantly reaching out to people who needed a touch, whether it was a physical need or just an encouraging word.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday, January 4, 2017, at Culley's MeadowWood Funeral Home, 1737 Riggins Road, Tallahassee, from 5:30-8:30. Funeral Services will be at Noon on Thursday, January 5, 2017, at First Baptist Church, Tallahassee, with interment following at Tallahassee Memory Gardens. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church Music Ministry, 108 W. College Avenue or on line at https://egiving.org/GuestDonation_v5/DonatorPage.asp.