Billy Joe Smith, born February, 23, 1934, passed away peacefully in his sleep at home surrounded by family, on March 8, 2024. He was a loving husband, dad, papaw, great papaw, and a friend to many. He will be remembered by many as being loving, compassionate, considerate, selfless, a veteran and a Christian.
He was preceded in death by his mom and dad, Carroll and Ola Smith, and leaves to continue his legacy, Joan Smith, his wife of 67 years; two brothers, James & Wayne, and a sister, Nellie; one son, Tommy Smith of Dickson, TN; one daughter, Gail Young of Texarkana, AR; four grandchildren, William J. Smith – wife Tonya, Gary Smith – wife Michelle, Christina – husband Randall, and Maranda; ten great-grandchildren, cousins, nieces, nephews and many loved friends.
Billy Joe loved fishing, hunting, gardening, keeping up with his farm menagerie and visiting with friends He attended Choudrant High School in Choudrant, LA, then served in the Navy for 2 years based out of Newark, NJ. He worked for the telephone company for 30 years and had many small jobs that allowed him to touch many people up until his 90th birthday.
He was a devout Christian and was a member of First Baptist Haughton. He was a member of Haughton Masonic Lodge for 58 years and served the community for many years by volunteering at ACTION, a food bank for the needy.
A visitation for Billy Joe will be held Thursday, March 14, 2024, at 9:00 a.m., to be followed by a Celebration of Life at 10:00 a.m. in the Chapel of Hill Crest Memorial Funeral Home in Haughton, 601 Hwy 80, Haughton, Louisiana 71037. His final resting place will be at Beulah Cemetery, Calhoun LA.
Pallbearers honoring Billy Joe will be Kenny Ambrose, Jeff Smith, William Smith, Gary Smith, Randy Draper, and Victor Carson. Honorary Pallbearers will be the Senior Men’s Sunday School Class.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home and Shriners Hospitals for Children — Shreveport.
A very special thank you to Bristol Hospice for the love and care they showed our dad and family. Thank you to Dr. Gray’s office staff for the constant care they gave him.
