Billy Don Smith

Billy Don Smith, 82, of Whitesboro, Texas went to his eternal home on October 11, 2025 in his home surrounded by family.

He was born on May 25, 1943 in Sherman, Texas to Erin and Gus Smith. His mom, Erin, died when he was an infant and he was raised by J.N. and Della Crow. He grew up on the Crow farm in Whitesboro, and they lovingly raised him like one of their own. Billy Don graduated from Whitesboro High School in 1961. He met a pretty red-headed girl from Ethel, Texas named Zoretta McWhorter at the Frosty Cream ice cream shop in Whitesboro, and they eventually married on November 23,1967. Together they raised two daughters.

Billy Don started driving a tractor at an early age on the family farm. He was involved in the Whitesboro FFA program under the direction of Gene Foster and earned the distinguished Lone Star Farmer Award and went on to earn the American Farmer Degree. He was a devoted farmer and cattleman. Billy Don was known for his strong work ethic, honesty, and patience. His passion was working his land and growing crops. He earned the Peanut Farmer Award several years at the Whitesboro Peanut Festival for the highest yield of peanuts grown in this area. He continued his dedication to the farm even through his illness. He was a farmer to the core, and his favorite place was sitting in his tractor and plowing his fields. After a bad year of farming, he secured a job at Peterbilt in Denton, Texas. He retired from there after twenty-five years of service. He loved his Lord and was a member of the Collinsville Church of Christ. Billy Don was a devoted family man and was especially proud of his grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Zoretta Smith, daughter, Renee' Birge and husband, Eric of Collinsville; daughter, Camille Thompson and husband, Jeff of Whitesboro; grandchildren, Bailey Smith and husband, Hayden, Nathan and Natalie Birge, Zack and Zoey Ward, Bryce, Brant and Hayes Thompson; great-grandson, Cade Smith; his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Charles and Juvean Snell; stepsister, Joyce Law and husband, Bill, as well as several nieces and nephews.

Billy Don was preceded in death by his parents, Erin and Gus Smith, J.N. and Della Crow, sisters, Mamie Fields, Willadean Leeper and Marcene Armstrong, brother, James Crow, and brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Billy Bob and Ulna McWhorter.

Pallbearers will be Brandon Jones, Jared Light, Paul Hodgekinson, James Chisum, Greg Golden, Jim Moore, Tommy Gene Foster, and Cooper Smith. Honorary pallbearers will be Keith Welch, Kerry Jones, Bill Bethel, Bob Reed, Greg Miles, Austin Miles, James Hightower, Chico Light, and Allen Harshbarger.

A special thank-you to the staff at Birdie Hospice including Sunny Brehm, Liz Sellars, Dr. John Sissney and Chaplain Mike Lawson. Billy Don especially enjoyed the visits from friends and loved ones that visited him throughout his illness.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Down Syndrome Guild of Dallas at 1651 North Collins Blvd. Suite 170, Richardson, Texas 75080.

Funeral services honoring Billy Don will be held at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, October 15, 2025 at Collinsville Church of Christ, officiated by Ricky Patterson. Interment will follow at Oakwood Cemetery in Whitesboro. No formal visitation is scheduled.