Mr. Billy Smith, 84, died Thursday, April 23, 2020, at the Mississippi State Veteran’s Home in Oxford, MS. A private, family graveside service will be held in Oxford Memorial Cemetery with Rev. Fletcher Moorman officiating. Waller Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.
Mr. Smith was born and raised in Monroe County, MS to the late Barron and Lillian Fitzpatrick Smith and a graduate of Aberdeen High School. He was a veteran of the United States Navy where he served in Naval Aviation during the Vietnam War. Bill worked as the administrator and director of Haven House, a drug and alcohol rehabilitation program in Oxford, MS. Daily, he led AA meetings and led countless people to sobriety. He was loved and will be missed by many who credited him for the guidance and counsel he provided during their recoveries. His knowledge on drug and alcohol recoveries led him all over the United States where he conducted lectures and taught others on leading AA meetings. Bill was preceded in death by his wife of almost 30 years, Mildred “Sue” Smith and by a brother, Bobby Smith.
Survivors include his daughter Iris Tyler and her husband, Steve of Olive Branch, MS; a son, Darrin Smith and his wife, Julie of the United Kingdom; step-daughter, Judy Pennington of Memphis, TN; six grandchildren, Thomas Smith, Patrick Smith, Rebecca Smith, Wes King, Kriste King Park and Chris Pennington; a niece, Melissa Best of Knoxville, TN; a nephew, Mark Smith of Knoxville, TN; and six great-grandchildren.
Memorial contributions in Mr. Smith’s memory may be made to Haven House, 152A Hwy 7 South, Oxford, MS 38655.
