Bill W. Smith

Bill W. Smith, 79, of Morganton, NC died Monday, February 6, 2017 in a fatal accident on his family farm. He was born in Morganton on August 13, 1937 to the late Jim and Floy Shuping Smith and was the brother to six siblings. Bill graduated from Salem High School in 1955 and entered the United States Navy. He served on the USS Wilke in Florida and Cuba, followed by six years in the United States Naval Ready Reserves. In 1959, he married Ann Setzer Smith of Morganton, his loving wife of 57 years. He was a skilled upholsterer in NC’s furniture industry for many years, retiring from Lexington Furniture. He was passionate about raising cattle and gardening. He was most at home when walking the fields of the family farm where he was raised and sharing his love of the farm with his children and granddaughter. He faithfully attended Burkemont Baptist Church and First Advent Christian Church and more recently, North Morganton United Methodist Church. He was loved by all and will be dearly missed.
Bill lovingly raised two daughters, Lisa Matthews and husband, Kevin of Arlington, VA, and Susann Cook and husband, Thomas of Morganton. He cherished his granddaughter, Megan Elizabeth Cook. He taught them all through his example what it means to live intentionally and with gratitude. He is also survived by sisters, Catherine Smith and Shirley Clark of Morganton, NC and brothers, Ervin Smith of Ashland, OH and Felix Smith and wife, Debbie of Charlotte, NC. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by a sister, Doris S. Roper and brother, Jimmy R. Smith.
The family will receive friends on Thursday, February 9, 2017 from 12:30 til 2:00pm at North Morganton United Methodist Church. The service will be at 2:00pm at the church with the Rev. Burt Williams and Rev. Eddy Bunton officiating. Burial will follow at Forest Hill Cemetery. Military honors will be conducted by the Caldwell County Veterans Honor Guard and the United States Navy. Memorial contributions may be made to Burke United Christian Ministries, 305B West Union St., Morganton, NC 28655.
Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center is assisting the family with the arrangements.