William R. "Bill" Smith Jr.

William Richard Smith, Jr. (Bill) was born on May 9, 1952 and died on June 8, 2016. Preceded in death by his father, William Richard Smith, Sr. He is survived by his wife of 38 years: Kathy Jean McCullough Smith; son, William Richard Smith III (Rich); daughter, Molly Kathleen Smith Chitwood(Connor); grandchildren: Baby Chitwood (Due October, 2016); mother, Ellie Ruth Hooper Smith; brother: David Lowell Smith; Bill attended Cumberland High School and graduated from Antioch High School. He continued his education, graduating from Belmont College where he was very involved in many activities. Bill was a member of the Phi Mu Alpha Fraternity as well as several other student organizations. He was a member of College Revival Teams singing in various churches throughout Tennessee. Professional Memberships include: Downtown Nashville Lions Club (41 Years), Professional Photographers of America, Southeastern Professional Photographers of America, Tennessee Professional Photographers of America, Music City Professional Photographers of America, Wedding and Event Videographers of America. During his life Bill was a member of Third Baptist Church, Haywood Hills Baptist Church, Tusculum Hills Baptist Church and Crievewood Baptist Church. Always a business man, Bill began his career at an early age selling tomatoes out of the family garden. Always seeking a way to meet the customer’s needs, Bill began selling candy and rubber band bundles, as well as offering a tray return service while in elementary and junior high school. Bill’s cold drink and candy business eventually grew so large that it expanded into his family’s garage with soft drink and ice cream companies making regular deliveries to his house. Having parents that both loved and grew their own flowers, Bill figured out a way to provide fellow students with floral pieces for special occasions. After taking a job at Joy’s Flowers and learning about the floral business, Bill stepped out on his own and began Rebel Hill Florist. With his family’s support he worked his way through Belmont providing flowers for all occasions to his friends. Word of mouth about his services spread and Rebel Hill began to grow. In a need to showcase his work, Bill began taking pictures of the decorations and floral arrangements at weddings. While setting up for weddings, Bill became friends with some of Nashville’s Professional Photographers. These friends introduced him to associations and classes that would develop his photographic skills. Rebel Hill Florist and Rebel Hill Photography worked side by side creating beautiful wedding flowers and lasting memories for clients. The two businesses continued until a loss of lease at the flower shop made him stop and reconsider how he should proceed. By this time, he and Kathy had two children, Rich and Molly. Running two businesses was taking a tremendous amount of time away from the family. After much thought, he chose to sell the flower shop and to continue in photography as Bill Smith Photography. Later he added video production and became Bill Smith Photography and Video Productions. During his career he became an international award winning photographer and videographer. He was awarded the Photographic Craftsman award in 1991 and the Master of Photography award in 1997 from Professional Photographers of America. Over the years TPPA has awarded him almost every award they give. He was President and Executive Secretary of MCPPA, but chose not to hold office in TPPA. Even though he did not hold office in TPPA, he worked behind the scenes with every TPPA Board. If something needed to be done, Bill would do it so that things ran smoothly. Most photographers that you meet will tell you some of the same things about Bill. First off, they will tell you he knew how to tell a good story. Second, they will tell you about his smile. And third, they will tell you he was a great friend. Bill was versatile, an all-around photographer capturing not only weddings, but portraits, corporate events, reunions, school photography and even a few pets. Bill enjoyed life with the same passion he brought to his work. He had a love of Gospel music and would often sing along with others. Bill grew up on the old cowboy westerns, watching them with his father. In the last few years he returned to his younger days watching old re-runs of his favorite shows. He and Kathy even traveled to Western Film Festivals to meet and visit with some of the stars from years gone by. Other favorites included The Andy Griffith Show, Matlock, Perry Mason and his all-time favorite ZORRO. A wonderful husband, father, son and brother… He will be missed by all. Visitation will be held from two o’ clock in the afternoon until eight on Sunday, June 12, 2016 at Woodlawn-Roesch-Patton Funeral Home. Funeral service will be held at one o’ clock in the afternoon on Monday, June 13, 2016 at Woodlawn’s Dignity Hall with visitation one hour prior. Memorial contributions may be made to the Downtown Nashville Lions Club, P.O. Box 190581 Nashville, TN 37219 in Bill’s honor.