Rev. Willie B Smith

Reverend Smith was born in Shreveport, Louisiana on July 24, 1928 to Vernon and Mattie Smith. He moved to Phoenix, Arizona at a young age and grew up then joined the US Air force in June 1947 and served until he received an Honorable Discharge in 1956. After which Reverend Smith went to Divinity School where he received a Doctorate of Divinity and embarked and embraced what God had called him to do. On one of his many adventures Reverend Smith married Rhonda Harrison July 19, 1980 whom he met in Pasadena California.

Reverend Smith’s life began with farming then on to masonry work after which he decided to serve his country in the US Air Force. After his discharge his career path led him up the ranks in the US Postal Service from carrier to his retirement as Postmaster of South Pasadena, California, all the while being a full time clergy. He was still not done, upon leaving California to move to Washington State to be near relatives, he took a breather from his religious calling and became a Realtor which lasted about a year and a half. But God wanted his man back in the pulpit so Rev. Smith obedient to his calling moved to Oregon brining Gods word. Oregon presented him the opportunity to work with the Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon (EMO) and was president for a short time. Of all the churches he founded his first South Phoenix Baptist Church, Phoenix Arizona and his last Church of the Good Shepherd, Portland Oregon are still going strong today.

This beloved man touched peoples’ lives through love, counseling, education, teaching, encouraging, consoling, laughter, humility, kindness, patience, gentleness but don’t be fooled he could also put you in your place, in a Godly way of course.

Reverend Smith is survived by his wife, Rhonda Smith, daughters, Grace Smith, Sandra (Eddie) Alexander, Christine Newman-Mitchell, sons Mark Smith, Akili Smith, Anthony Smith, brothers Alvin (Thelma) Smith, Ervin Smith, at least 25 grandchildren and a host of great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.