He was born in Tuscaloosa County, Son of William and Pearl Smith, Sr.; married for 71 years and survived by Doris Styes Smith. Bill graduated from Tuscaloosa County High and immediately joined and served in the United States Navy on the U.S.S. Zellars at the end of WWII. When he returned to Tuscaloosa was employed for over 40 years by B.F. Goodrich. He was a member of Valley View Baptist Church.
He was an avid fast pitch softball fan and played on several teams. He was inducted in the West Alabama Softball Hall of Fame in 1988 and Alabama (State) Amateur Softball Hall of Fame in 2006. He and Hall of Famer, Paul Morrison, worked with over 500 young ladies teaching them to pitch and catch. At least 24 of their students earned a college scholarship to play softball at the college level.
He is survived by his wife; daughters, Ann Brasher (Larry) and Judy Wright (Carl), both of Tuscaloosa; and son, Jeff Smith (Barbara) of Hoover; seven grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.
The family would like to thank Moundville Health and Rehabilitation for their kind and loving care.
Visitation will be at Memory Chapel Funeral Home Sunday, January 5, 2020, from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. with a burial and graveside services following at 3 p.m., officiated by Dr. Billy Joy, at Memory Hill Gardens with Memory Chapel Funeral Home, a Dignity Memorial Provider, directing.
Pallbearers will be Chris Wright, Brad Wright, Logan Wright, Jeremy Dismukes and Anthony Stagner.
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