William S. "Billy" Smith

William S. "Billy" Smith, 76, passed away on March 10, 2026. Born on January 25, 1950 to William Swinton Smith and Maxie Adkins Smith of Reidsville, Georgia. Billy lived a life defined by service and an enduring love of flight and family.

A respected aviator and public servant, Billy dedicated much of his career to aviation and public safety. He served in the Georgia State Patrol Aviation unit for more than 30 years, several years as the Director of Aviation, and was a Commander in the Georgia Army National Guard, where his expertise, steady leadership, and deep knowledge of flight earned him the respect of colleagues and pilots alike. In addition to his public service, Billy was a pilot for Air Med and the owner of SouthEastern Air Services, where he continued to share his expertise and love for flying with others.

Throughout his military and civilian careers, he remained passionate about aviation, logging more than 20,000 hours in the cockpit of both helicopters and airplanes, a testament to a lifetime spent in the skies.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Billy was known for his generous spirit and the joy he brought to friends and family. He was affectionately famous for his "Billy Burgers," which became a cherished tradition at gatherings. Whether manning the grill or spending time boating on Lake Chatuge and Lake Burton, Billy found happiness in simple moments with the people he loved.

Billy is survived by his wife Maxine Smith, his children Wil Smith (Samantha) and Krista Bradley, and his grandchildren Dylan, Darryan, Kayla, Emma, and Lily. He was preceded in death by his brother Bobby Smith and sister Carol Fay.

The family will receive friends beginning at 1:00pm on Sunday with the funeral to follow at 3:00pm from the Reidsville Baptist Church with Dr. Charles Jonas officiating.  Interment will be in the Smith Family Cemetery in Reidsville with honors rendered by the Georgia State Patrol. 

A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, March 29, 2026  at 2:00pm at the Glynn County Airport Museum hangar, 1759 Demere Rd. on Saint Simons Island.

Honorary pallbearers will be Mike Dougherty, Rodney Wilcher, Neill McDonald, Nathan Grube, Mike Leverette, Joe Jurkis, Tom Walker,  and Ricky Wilcox.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made in his honor to The American Cancer Society or the Alzheimer's Association.

Billy will be remembered not only for his distinguished career and remarkable achievements, but also for his generosity, humor, and deep friendships he built throughout his life. His legacy lives on in the many lives he touched, both on the ground and in the skies.

Low Country Cremation and Burial has the honor to serve the Smith family.