Rev
Rev William Preston Smith
d. June 10, 2010
Tupelo--William P. (Bill) Smith, III died on Thursday, June 10, while vacationing with his family at Myrtle Beach, SC. He suffered a cardiac arrest while swimming in the ocean with his granddaughter.
A Portsmouth, Virginia native, he made his home in Mississippi and received a BA in Speech at Mississippi College in 1959 with a minor in Biblical Studies. He received a Master of Divinity from New Orleans Seminary, and later a Master of Philosophy at the University of Mississippi. As a Southern Baptist Minister he pastored in Yalabousha Co., Clay Co., Madison Co., and Lee Co. He served as the Lee County Baptist Associational Director of Missions for 20 years before retiring. After retirement, he continued to serve in mission work in various capacities, including North American Mission Projects, as well as traveling to Honduras and Venezuela to serve in International Mission projects. He was a member of Calvary Baptist Church where he was ordained in 1962.
Bill was very active with his Alma Mater, Mississippi College, and was on the Board of Trustees. He had also served as the President of the MC Alumni Association. Recently, he was named Alumnus of the Year at Mississippi College and was to be recognized for this esteemed honor in October. He was also very active in the Tupelo Luncheon Civitans Club and served as President, as well as the Northern District Governor of Civitan.
He was an avid physical fitness enthusiast. He enjoyed being with his family, traveling, reading and mission work.
Services will be 3 p.m. Monday at Calvary Baptist Church with Dr. John G. Armistead and Dr. David Eldridge officiating. Burial will be in Tupelo Memorial Park. W.E. Pegues Funeral Directors will be in charge of arrangements.
Survivors include his wife of 51 years, Mary Ellis Perkins Smith, one son, Paul M. Smith (Beth), one daughter, Catherine Smith Cagle (Scott), two granddaughters, Mary Preston Evers and Isabella Scotlynd Smith, two step-granddaughters, Katie Cagle and Sara Jo Cagle, and two step-grandsons, Matthew Cagle and Xavier Taylor, all of the Tupelo area.
He was preceded in death by his parents, William P. Smith, Jr. and Dorothy Gillie Smith of Holland Station, VA.
Pallbearers are Mike Gibson, Junior Roper, Lee Johnson, Jerry Wiese, Arnold Stanford, Dr. Bill Hilbun, Pat Nunnlee and Jimmy Perkins. Honorary Pallbearers are his Sunday School class and members of the Tupelo Luncheon Civitan Club.
Visitation will be 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.
Memorial donations may be made to the Calvary Baptist Church Building Fund, 501 West Main, Tupelo MS 38804; or to the Mississippi College Scholarship Fund established by Bill and Mary Ellis Smith, Box 4005, Clinton, MS 39058.
A Portsmouth, Virginia native, he made his home in Mississippi and received a BA in Speech at Mississippi College in 1959 with a minor in Biblical Studies. He received a Master of Divinity from New Orleans Seminary, and later a Master of Philosophy at the University of Mississippi. As a Southern Baptist Minister he pastored in Yalabousha Co., Clay Co., Madison Co., and Lee Co. He served as the Lee County Baptist Associational Director of Missions for 20 years before retiring. After retirement, he continued to serve in mission work in various capacities, including North American Mission Projects, as well as traveling to Honduras and Venezuela to serve in International Mission projects. He was a member of Calvary Baptist Church where he was ordained in 1962.
Bill was very active with his Alma Mater, Mississippi College, and was on the Board of Trustees. He had also served as the President of the MC Alumni Association. Recently, he was named Alumnus of the Year at Mississippi College and was to be recognized for this esteemed honor in October. He was also very active in the Tupelo Luncheon Civitans Club and served as President, as well as the Northern District Governor of Civitan.
He was an avid physical fitness enthusiast. He enjoyed being with his family, traveling, reading and mission work.
Services will be 3 p.m. Monday at Calvary Baptist Church with Dr. John G. Armistead and Dr. David Eldridge officiating. Burial will be in Tupelo Memorial Park. W.E. Pegues Funeral Directors will be in charge of arrangements.
Survivors include his wife of 51 years, Mary Ellis Perkins Smith, one son, Paul M. Smith (Beth), one daughter, Catherine Smith Cagle (Scott), two granddaughters, Mary Preston Evers and Isabella Scotlynd Smith, two step-granddaughters, Katie Cagle and Sara Jo Cagle, and two step-grandsons, Matthew Cagle and Xavier Taylor, all of the Tupelo area.
He was preceded in death by his parents, William P. Smith, Jr. and Dorothy Gillie Smith of Holland Station, VA.
Pallbearers are Mike Gibson, Junior Roper, Lee Johnson, Jerry Wiese, Arnold Stanford, Dr. Bill Hilbun, Pat Nunnlee and Jimmy Perkins. Honorary Pallbearers are his Sunday School class and members of the Tupelo Luncheon Civitan Club.
Visitation will be 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.
Memorial donations may be made to the Calvary Baptist Church Building Fund, 501 West Main, Tupelo MS 38804; or to the Mississippi College Scholarship Fund established by Bill and Mary Ellis Smith, Box 4005, Clinton, MS 39058.
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