Rev. William Howell Smith, (Bill), age 89, resident of Brookdale Shoals, Assisted Living, passed away, January, 21, 2019, at 10:35 pm. Bill was born February 28, 1929, in Fosters, Alabama.
He was the son Alice, and James Smith, of Fosters, Alabama, and preceded in death by his wife, MaryRuth Norris Smith; sister, Eleanore Holcomb; and brother David Ussery. He is survived by his son, James, daughter, Ruth Smith Haynes (Donnie), Grandson, Josh and Thomas Haynes(Fiancé Danielle Ashman). Bill accepted Christ as his Savior at age 9, & joined Sylvan UMC, Fosters, Alabama.
1945, at age 16, Bill, began preaching at Bible Studies, leading singing at Revivals, and playing the piano/organ for various Methodist Churches when they needed a preacher and/or a church musician in Tuscaloosa and the surrounding area. Becoming a full time Minister at 18, Bill was appointed to 5 churches in the Jasper District. 1948, he was reappointed to the Brownville Circuit where he was assigned to 5 churches.
Enlisting in the Army in 1949, he became a part of the Chapin’s Division, later being deployed to Stuttgart, Germany as Chaplin’s Assistant, during the Korean Conflict. Upon completing his tour of duty, late 1951, he returned to Tuscaloosa and was appointed to Adamsville UMC, Jasper, AL. Bill served several churches over his 76 year ministry, including, Greenhill UMC, Killen, Milner’s Chapel UMC, Harrison’s Chapel UMC, Lexington First UMC, Edgemont UMC Florence, Midfield UMC, Midfield, AL, Jones Memorial UMC, Lipscomb, AL, Rogersville UMC, Rogersville, Muscle Shoals UMC, St. John UMC, Underwood, Pleasant Hill UMC, Central Heights UMC, and Austinville UMC, Decatur, from where he retired, 1996.
Upon retirement, Bill was asked to serve a part time assignment at Green’s Chapel UMC, Lexington, Muscle Shoals UMC, and Wesley Memorial UMC, Littleville, where he currently served through January 13, 2018. Bill has been a United Methodist Minister a total of 74 years. Visitation will be held at The First United Methodist Church of Florence Saturday, January 26, 2019, 9 AM to 12 PM.
Funeral services will follow at 12 PM. The Rev. Kenny Baskins, of the First United Methodist Church of Athens, will officiate.
Burial will follow at Greenview Memorial Park Cemetery, Florence, Alabama. Elkins Funeral Home is assisting the family. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, and the American Cancer Society, in the name of Reverend William H. Smith.
The family would like to thank Brookdale Shoals Assisted Living, their incredible care of Bill during his residency there, the 2nd and 5th floor nurses and staff at North Alabama Medical Center for their extraordinary love, attention, and care during his illness prior to his passing, and Dr. John E. Bartmess, his physician for the past 40+ years.
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