William Lawrence Smith

Bill was born July 26, 1936, to Sara and Ballard Smith. Bill was the oldest of seven children. 

Bill met the love of his life at the age of 15, and when she was 13. He and Connie were perfect for each other. A pair, for sure. They were married on March 29, 1954. They lived in North Carolina while Bill was in the Army. They then moved back to Ohio and eventually moved to Texas in 1971 when Bill bought a dairy farm. Bill and Connie were married for 60 years before Connie passed away on December 19, 2014.

Bill had many endeavors as a machinist, dairy farmer, and truck driver. He worked at Huffy Bikes and established Hitex Tool and Die Co., alongside his brother, Phil, in 1990. His last job, one in which he worked hard at three or four days a week, was golfing.

Bill loved many sports, having family dinner and game night, and being with his dog, Sandy. 

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Sara and Ballard Smith, his wife, Connie Smith, two brothers, Ron and Jim Smith, and his grandson, Thomas Harper. Bill Leaves behind his daughter and son-in-law, Elizabeth and Kevin Smith, son and daughter-in-law Bill and Angie Smith, along with his four grandchildren, Ryan Carter, Kelsey Carter, Matthew Smith, and Dylan Smith and his wife, Sol Smith, his great-grandchildren, Alyssa, Kasi, Kinnedy, Kindyl, Mariella, Beverly, Salem, Mera, Arthur, Juniper, and great great-grandson, Lawson, siblings, Phil, Lisa, Janet, and Annie.

Bill is greatly missed by his friends and family. 

A funeral service will be held on Friday, December 12, 2025, at 2 in the afternoon in the chapel of Croley Funeral Home, Gladewater, Texas. Interment will follow at Gladewater Memorial Park.