Willie Smith

William "Willie" Strong Smith, age 89 of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, passed away Friday, February 13, 2026, at Hospice of West Alabama. Graveside services and burial will be held Wednesday, February 18, 2026, at 2:00 P.M. at Memory Hills Garden. Bro. Rick Mitchell will be officiating. Tuscaloosa Memorial Park and Chapel will be directing.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Margie C. Smith; father, William Nathanial Smith; mother, Wilma Strong Smith; sisters, Catherine Bowling and Beverly Gant.

Willie is survived by his son, Rick Smith (Gina); and grandchildren, Maleah Smith and Landon Smith.

He is a well-known business owner of Smith's Sport Cycles. In 1960, at age 24, he purchased the motorcycle shop where he had worked on 17th Street and Greensboro Avenue. He began by selling Harley Davidson and Triumph Motorcycles. In 1962, he moved to the corner of 15th Street and Greensboro Avenue and became a Suzuki dealer. He had been a Yamaha dealer since 1963. He became a Honda dealer in 1977, while at this location on McFarland Blvd. In 1985, he moved to the present location on Skyland Blvd. East, and became a Kawasaki dealer in 1992.

Smith's Sport Cycles was family owned and operated as Margie became the full-time office manager in 1971. Rick joined his parents full-time in sales in 1984.

Willie was hard working, and very passionate about motorcycles since childhood. He raced hare scrambles, flat track and hill climbs. In 1963, he won grand Champion in the 24-hour marathon in Montgomery, Alabama.

Serving as pallbearers will be Amos Hollifield, Mike Banks, Joe Hargrove, Steve Davis, Pat Pater and Ken Potts.

The family wishes to extend sincere thanks to past and present employees of Smith's Sport Cycles, all our customers over the last 66 years, so many have become life-long friends.

Special thanks to all the staff of Hospice of West Alabama for the compassionate care of my dad and our family.

Also, a special thanks to family friend, Dr. Ryan Sullivan, and all friends who visited, called and texted, and above all, prayed for dad and our family.

In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made to any of the following: Hospice of West Alabama, St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, or the Wounded Warrior Project.