Billy Ray Smith
October 18, 1939 ~ January 2, 2005
Resided in:
Asheville, NC
Billy Ray Smith, 65, of 81 Hensley Drive, Asheville, died Sunday, January 2, 2005, at Memorial Mission Hospital.
Mr. Smith was born in Buncombe County and was a son of Van H. Smith of Asheville and the late Blanche Rogers Cole. He was a Navy veteran and a former route salesman for Energy United Propane.
He was a former member of the Gospel Harmoniers and the Living Waters Southern Gospel Singers. He was a member of State Street Baptist Church.
Surviving are his wife, Ruth Clark Smith; one daughter, Pam Smith Johnson and her husband Michael of Leicester; two sons, Roger Smith and his wife Angie of Leicester and Michael Ryan Smith of Asheville; a brother, Van H. Smith, Jr. and his wife Sherry of Fletcher; a step-brother, Jimmy Ogle and his wife Amanda of Enka; ten grandchildren and one great-grandchild on the way.
Funeral services will be at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday in the Patton Avenue chapel of Groce Funeral Home with the Rev. Terry Sprouse officiating. Burial will be at Ashelawn Gardens. Pall Bearers will be Ronnie Brown, Bobby Lunsford, Roger Murray, Steve Smith, Greg Dale, and Greg Carson. His family will receive friends from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to Davita of Weaverville Dialysis Center, 329 Merrimon Avenue, Weaverville, NC 28787.
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I tried sending a card to the address listed but it was returned to me marked no such number. I wanted you to know that the family is in our thoughts and prayers.
Dear Ruth,
I’m sure you know Bill held a special place in my heart and I will miss greatly his playful bantering. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time of such great loss.
ruth,pam,&michael,
not seen any of you since irene wortham residential center.so very sorry to hear of billy’s passing.my thoughts&prayers are with all of you. love, lissa
YOU ARE IN OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS.
We were so sorry to hear Bill had passed away and know he will be missed so much. Praise God for the assurance he’s pain-free and rejoicing now with the Lord. He was a real blessing, just as Ruth and Pam and the rest of the family we know are.
Our prayers are with you.
Love,
Jim and Sharon Coffey
Ruth and family
We were sad to hear that Bill had passed away. We are sorry we can not be with you at this time, but I am unable to travel long distants. We know that Bill is with our LORD and in no more pain. May GOD’s love be with you at this very difficult time.
Dear Ruth , I was so sorry to hear that BIll had passed away….I will always remember the two of you as the friends I went with to get married…You have loved each other for so long and have been a wonderful example of young love and how it can be a success….May God be with you and the children….
Sorry to hear about you dad pam our though and prayes are with you
ANGIE AND FAMILY,
MY PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU. PLEASE KEEP FAITH AND GOD WILL PULL YOU THORUGH THIS WE MISS YOU AT WORK PLEASE STAY STRONG. LOVE YOU DEARLY
Ruth, Roger, Pam and Mikie,
You are in our thoughts and prayers. We all go way back through the years and mere words can’t express the sorrow we feel at the news of Bill’s passing.
We are sorry we couldn’t be there with you. Love you guys!
I am sorry that Bill is not on this earth anymore. But I am not sorry for Bill, as he is now with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Bill has longed to make this trip and now he has. I am very happy for him right now! If there is anything I can do for you Ruth, please let me know. I can’t wait to get to Heaven and see my GREAT friend Bill Smith again! He will forever be missed here on Earth, and forever be a GREAT part of Heaven now.
I Love you Bill! See you soon!