William Gery Smith

William Gery Smith, who went by his middle name, Gery, and was affectionately known to many as “Smitty,” passed away on October 30, 2025, at Centra Lynchburg General Hospital in Lynchburg, Virginia, at the age of 80 after an extended stay in the ICU. He was surrounded by his loving family and passed peacefully with his devoted wife and eldest granddaughter, Emily, by his side.

Gery was born on June 25, 1945, in Greenbrier County, West Virginia. His strong work ethic carried throughout his life as he worked as a mechanic, a wrecker driver, and a long-haul truck driver traveling up and down the East Coast. He also spent time as a business owner in Charlottesville, Virginia, where he operated University Body Shop.

A true outdoorsman, Gery loved hunting, fishing, gardening, and being outside. Even in his later years, he continued doing the things he loved from his power wheelchair, often joined by his grandchildren, who were his greatest joy.

Gery is survived by his wife of 58 years, Betty Levone Ward Smith; his four children: Joanne Watson, Billy (Tracy), Jeff, and Jason I (Patricia); eleven grandchildren: Emily (Lance), JoHannah, Rebecca (Brandon), Jason II, Rachael (Ashley), Samantha (Shawn), Chassity (Justin), Joey (Chelsey), Jessica, Madeline, and William; four great-grandchildren: Brayden, Brandon Jr. “Bubs”, Tinley, and Olivia “Little Angel”; and his brothers Jimmy (Sherrie) and Randy (Faye).

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his siblings Ronald, Terry, and Donna and his brothers-in-law David and Joe, and a grandson, Jackson.

While his family will miss him immensely, they are comforted knowing he is now free from sickness and pain and is in the presence of our Lord.

A funeral service will be held on Sunday, November 2, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at Tharp Funeral Home in Lynchburg, Virginia.

The family would like to express their deepest gratitude to the nursing staff at CLGH for their exceptional care, compassion, and kindness throughout Gery’s time in the ICU. Betty would also like to give special thanks to Emily, Samantha, and Chassity for their constant love and support of their grandfather, and to Jessica and Jeff for their faithful caregiving. Their dedication made it possible for Gery to remain at home after his health declined in 2014, a gift that meant more to him and his family than words can express.

Gery will be remembered for his grit, humor, and deep love for his family, a legacy that will live on in every story shared and every life he touched. He will also live on through the lives of his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, who carry forward the lessons, strength, and love he poured into them. Gery never met a stranger and could hold a conversation with anyone about any topic. He loved to talk, to laugh, and to retell the many stories of his life, stories that his family will continue to cherish and pass down for generations.

Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Lynchburg is assisting the family.