Bill G.B. Smith

Bill G.B. Smith, 89, of the Deerfield Episcopal Retirement Community, passed away Wednesday, October 9, 2013. Bill was born, June 17, 1924 in Spartanburg, SC. He was the son of the late Rostand and Roberta Smith. He was a graduate of Spartanburg High School, Mars Hill College and Wake Forest University. He served in the US Army-Air Corps during World War II and retired from the NC Department of Revenue after 34 years of service. He was past president of the Mars Hill College Alumni, member of the Board of Advisors of Mars Hill College, the Asheville Junior Chamber of Commerce Toast Masters Club, the Asheville Sertoma Club, a member of the Mt. Herman Lodge, the Oasis Shrine Temple, the Oasis Mountain Dune Buggies, the Land of the Sky Shrine Club and the Jamil Temple. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Asheville and the First Baptist Jubilee Choir. Mr. Smith is survived by his brothers, Harry Smith of Columbia, SC and Edward Smith of Dover, Delaware; sisters, Betty Graham of Spartanburg and Faye Gregg of Cayce, SC; a very special niece, Amy Young, of S. Pasadena, CA; dear friend, Martha Guy of Supply, NC and many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, Rostand E. Smith, Jr. and Donald M. Smith and a sister, Dorothy Seay. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, October 12, 2013 in the chapel of Asheville First Baptist Church with the Rev. Dr. Allen Raines and Rev. David Blackmon officiating. The family will receive friends at the church immediately following the service. Interment will be at the Western Carolina State Veterans Cemetery at 10 am on Monday, October 14. In lieu of flowers, Bill's family asks that you please consider making a memorial contribution to the Shriners Hospital for Children or Asheville First Baptist Church, 5 Oak Street, Asheville, NC 28801. Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian is assisting the family.