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FUNERAL HOME

Resthaven Gardens of Memory & Funeral Home - Baton Rouge

11817 Jefferson Highway

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Bilwood Smith Jr. Obituary

Name: Visitation for Bilwood Smith Jr.
Start: 2024-04-22T10:30:00.000Z
End: 2024-04-22T12:00:00.000Z
Location: First United Methodist

Bilwood Smith Jr. peacefully lost his battle with cancer on April 17 surrounded by loved ones in his home. At the age of 63, his love for family and friends shined bright through all aspects of his life. He was a native of Baton Rouge who passionately enjoyed waterskiing, hunting, spearfishing, and "making deals". A local real estate developer and mentor to many, Bilwood enjoyed his days working hard and playing harder. He lived his life by the idea that "In the end, it's not the years in your life that count, it's the life in your years." Abraham Lincoln. Many of his passions included being a proud husband, father, grandfather, and brother, founding member of the NLU Waterski team, a generous donor of the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, and an avid sportsman. He is survived by his loving wife of 33 years, Christy Calmes Smith; his two children: Mindy Smith Campbell (Andrew), Bilwood Smith III (Mary Kate); five grandchildren: Hannah, Piper, Calvin, Hudson, and Peter Campbell; siblings: Jennifer Smith Culotta, Ashley Smith Haynes (Kevin), Marque Ann Smith Barton, and Brad Smith (Heidi); and 15 nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, Bilwood and Pickle Smith. Visitation will be held at First United Methodist Church (930 North Blvd., Baton Rouge, LA 70802) Monday, April 22, from 10:30 until noon, with the service following. He will be laid to rest at Resthaven Gardens of Memory (11817 Jefferson Hwy., Baton Rouge, LA 70816). He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

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Published by The Advocate from Apr. 18 to Apr. 21, 2024.

Memories and Condolences
for Bilwood Smith Jr.

20 Entries

Jane Schoen

April 24, 2024

Jane McManus Schoen

April 24, 2024

I am devastated by this unexpected news. Christy & family, I pray that you are comforted by family and friends at this difficult time. Bilwood & BIII came to see me and Bilwood bought a golf cart. I can't tell you how happy I was to see him, as it had been a long time since I saw either of you. I have watched your family grow on Facebook though and it has been a joy. He told me all about Mindy's passion, how proud he was of both children, and his adventurous travels to see her.
Bilwood taught all three of my boys how to swim at his parents house, before he got married and Christy, you were our neighbor. He famously threw Hunter's plastic Barney into the middle of the pool when Hunter was trying to negotiate, being to hesitant about jumping in from the side of the pool.
He was always a hoot and fun to be around. We had the common interest of water skiing and being on a college ski team so it was always wonderful to see both of you.
May these and all the sweet stories you hear eventually replace the intense grief with wonderful memories. It takes a long time, though. I can't lie.

Brad & Wendee Patterson

April 22, 2024

Wendee and I are so saddened to hear this. Our hearts go out to you and your family. Bilwood was one cool hombre!! We will miss his straight shootin' in the KOA 2020 Group. Cherish the memories!

Brad & Wendee Patterson
La Junta, Colorado KOA

Steve Kidd

April 22, 2024

My wife and I were on the NLU ski team with Bilwood when he arrived at NLU. So many great times and memories. We were fortunate to have had a great visit with him in June at the LA night jam tournament at Bennetts.
Gone much too soon. Rest in peace my brother.
Christy our prayers are with you and your family at this difficult time.
Steve and Gayle Kidd

Sarah D´Spain

April 22, 2024

A life well lived. Heaven awaits

Pam Ellis Stoewer

April 21, 2024

My earliest memory of Bilwood was in the late 1960´s as one of the Oak Hills Place gang of neighborhood kids riding bikes . Though I am a few years older , my brother Rick has had a life long friendship with him . What a blessing to have a good friend in Bilwood . The Ellis family sends our deepest sympathies and prayers for comfort to the whole Smith family .
From Pam Ellis Stoewer,
Rick and Tania Ellis and David and Jen Ellis

Dwight Guillory

April 21, 2024

Prayers, love, and deepest sympathy to your family!
Dwight and the Guillory Family

Shan Pipes Campbell

April 21, 2024

Dear Christy, I am so sorry to learn of Billwood's passing. My prayers are with you and your family.

Eric Gilmore

April 21, 2024

I met Bilwood when I started 7th grade at U-high, and he has been a close friend, good buddy and trusted ally ever since. He was always quick to help folks out any way he could. Bilwood was always in it with you doing his very best, and would help us do our best too. I will always love, admire and respect Bilwood for all his fantastic accomplishments, and for helping us laugh as we stretched to reach our accomplishments too. I am holding Bilwood and his family in the light across the miles, and thinking of all the thoughtful lessons and wonderful experiences he shared with us. The world will miss Bilwood in so many ways.

Edwin Jordan

April 20, 2024

I really enjoyed my time skiing with Bilwood at NLU. Such a fun personality. Many great memories! Praying for Bilwood´s whole family.

Edwin and Susan Jordan

Planted Trees

Tammy Johns

April 20, 2024

May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.
My deepest condolences.

Ned Clark

April 20, 2024

Bilwood was truly a fun and loving man, gentle and kind!
Ashley and I were in the same grade at U-High from first grade, and our family good friends with the Smith family.
The thing I remember most about Bilwood was how he was such a great and loving big brother and fatherly figure to his siblings. Having lost their Dad at a young age Bilwood took on the "Man of the house" role in supporting his siblings and their beautiful Momma, he´d do anything for them.
Rest in peace Bilwood, God Bless you and your family!

Earl Dyck

April 19, 2024

I met Bilwood when I moved to Baton Rouge 23 years ago and bought a home in the Lakes at Ascension subdivision. We became friends because he had the same passion as I did for water skiing - we skied together many times on his private ski lake and therefore became good friends over the years! I felt lucky to catch up with him & Johnny again a couple of weeks ago at the ski lake - I always enjoyed our conversations...! And have always enjoyed skiing & hanging out with his son Bilwood as well - me and my regular ski buddies are going to miss him and his sense of humor...! Thank you Bilwood for the times we shared - RIP my friend...!

Stephen Sanford

April 19, 2024

Thank you bilwood smith jr.
You were a fine mentor who will not be forgotten.
God bless you and your family.
Rest in peace.

Pam Bordelon

April 19, 2024

The the Smith Family,
My condolences on the death of Bilwood. He definitely left his mark on our community in a good way.

Edna Lambert

April 19, 2024

I worked for Bilwood 15 years. He was a great businessman with a big heart and became a dear friend. He will be sincerely missed. Our prayers are with Christy and his wonderful family.

Gary Jumonville

April 19, 2024

Bilwood lived everyday as a lion and never as a sheep. I am lucky to have known him. Wendy and my prayers are with all of you.

Kurt Maloney

April 18, 2024

I met Bilwood in the days of the savings and loan collapse, have stayed in touch over the years and was grateful to have had hunted and fished with him and to have come to know his loving family, we miss you Bilwood Kurt and Carol Maloney

Will Wilton

April 18, 2024

Jennifer and Brad, so sorry for Bilwood's passing. Hopeful you find comfort knowing our prayers are with you. Peace.

Will Wilton

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