William Edwin "Bill" Smith

William Edwin “Bill” Smith, 98, of Searcy, passed away, August 6, 2024. He was born October 24, 1925 in Searcy to Jesse William Smith and Iona Victoria Mardis Smith. He was a beloved son, brother, husband, father, uncle, cousin, grandfather, great-grandfather, and great great-grandfather. 

Bill was a 1943 graduate of Searcy High School and a member of the Future Farmers of America and what is now the Distributive Education Clubs of America. 

He served in the U.S. Army 1944-1946, and was a Disabled American Veteran and a Legionnaire. He also rode in the White County Sheriff’s Mounted Patrol. Bill farmed, handled stock, partnered in two service stations, handled rental cars, but was most well known for his 30 years of service with the Coca-Cola Bottling Company of Arkansas. 

He was a longtime member of First Baptist Church of Searcy and the Cal Acclin Sunday School Class. 

Bill enjoyed fishing, gardening, yard work, playing the harmonica, old school country music, TV westerns, the Fox News Channel, the Atlanta Braves, Texas Rangers, Dallas Cowboys, Arkansas Razorbacks Football and HAWG BALL, and PGA golf, among others. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, his loving wife of 70 years, Mrs. Virginia Bridges Smith; three sisters, Annie Virginia Bowen, Emma Frances Gandy, and Dorothy Mae Patrick, all of the greater Memphis area; and a granddaughter, Leslie Ann McAlister of Centerton.

Bill is survived by his daughter, Sheridan E. Stracener (Danny) of Bella Vista; son, Anthony E. Smith of Searcy; three great-grandsons, and five great great-grandchildren. 

Graveside services will be conducted 1:00 p.m., Thursday, August 8, 2024 at the Gum Springs Cemetery in Searcy with Bro. Brian Whitney officiating. 

All Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Searcy McEuen Funeral Home.

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