William Reginald 'Bo' Smith

MILLEDGEVILLE, GA

William Reginald Smith, 90, known to many friends and family as “Bo” or

“Smitty” passed away at the Georgia War Veterans Home on May 30, 2018 in

Milledgeville, Georgia following a lengthy illness. He was born in

Hickox, Brantley County, Georgia on December 4, 1927 to the late Hester

Herrin Smith and William Henry Owen Smith. He graduated from Nahunta

High School in 1943 at age 15 and, from age 16, worked as a welder

building “Liberty Ships,” at the J.A. Jones Construction Company

shipyard in Brunswick, Georgia until the end of the war in 1945.

Mr. Smith was a Veteran of the United States Navy, proudly serving from

1946 to 1948. During his naval service, he served aboard the destroyer,

USS Chevalier, DD-805. Following his military service, he attended South

Georgia College, after which he farmed for several years. For most of

his civilian career, Mr. Smith worked at W.E. Johnson Equipment Company

in Hialeah, Florida as company Comptroller for over thirty years.

Returning to Georgia in 1989, he worked at Okefenokee Rural Electric

Membership Corporation until his retirement.

“Bo” was of the Catholic faith and a member of St. Francis Xavier

Catholic Church in Brunswick, where he served as Eucharistic Minister.

He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus.

He is preceded in death by his parents; his lovely wife of 45 years,

Grace Ursaline Stiglets Smith; daughter, Jennifer Leigh Smith; sister,

Effie S. Middleton and her husband, Emory; sister, Carolyn S. Lewis and

her husband, Norman; and infant sister Paunee Smith. He is survived by

his daughter, Kathryn S. Fox and her husband Tony of Forsyth, Georgia;

son Michael D. Smith of Concord, North Carolina; brother, James L. Smith

and his wife, Molly of Perry, Georgia; three grandchildren, Madison

Leigh Smith, Lauryn Grace Fox and Korbin Michael Smith; and numerous

nieces and nephews.

He was a kind-hearted, loving father, Papa, and brother who had a great

but subtle sense of humor. He was especially proud of his children and

particularly adored his grandchildren. He will be dearly missed by his

family and friends.

The family wishes to express their appreciation to the dedicated

caregivers at the Georgia War Veterans Home who cared for and assisted

him during his residence there.

Funeral services for Mr Smith will be held on June 2, 2018: Family will

receive visitors from 1 PM until 2:30 PM at Frye Funeral Home in

Nahunta, Georgia. Graveside service will follow, at 3 PM, at New Hope

Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery in Hickox, Georgia. In lieu of

flowers, the family respectfully suggests donations be given in his

memory to the church or charity of your choice.

Arrangements are with Fairhaven Funeral Home, Macon, Georgia and Frye

Funeral Home, Nahunta, Georgia.