Mr. Billy Joe Smith

Hephzibah, GA – Billy Joe Smith, 92, entered into rest Thursday, October 12, 2023. Funeral services with Full Military Honors will be held Wednesday, October 18th, 2023, at 11:00 AM, from the chapel of Chance & Hydrick Funeral Directors, with Reverend Tim Smart and Reverend John Strickland officiating. Interment will follow in Hillcrest Memorial Park. The family will receive friends Wednesday from 10:00 AM until the hour of service at the funeral home. Billy Joe was born August 27, 1931, the second child of John Earnest and Jennie Vie Hanes Smith of Paducah, Kentucky. He graduated from Reidland High School in 1949 then enlisted in the Army in 1951 and began a long military career, rising to the rank of Sergeant First Class (E-7) before retiring in 1977 with more than 26 years of service. He was a decorated combat veteran serving in three tours of duty in Vietnam. While stationed in Hawaii, Billy married his first wife, Edith Muramoto in 1960 and in 1961 their son Mark Edwin joined the family. After his retirement from the Army he worked at Georgia Power for many years. He was preceded in death by Edith and Mark, along with his parents, and brothers Buddy James and Roy F. Smith. He is survived by his beloved wife Jeanette Yvonne, his daughter-in-law Leea, grand-daughter Christina, great-grandson Jeremiah Mark, step-daughter Jan Whitehead, his elder brother Bobby Gene Smith, sister Frances Norine Staley (Ron), sister Earnestine Elnora Foster (Anthony), plus several nieces and a nephew. Though he travelled the world throughout his career, his heart always remained with his family. Billy loved his Lord and his church. He was a member of Sherwood Baptist Church for many years and recently joined Pine Hill Baptist. He was also involved in several organizations and charities in his lifetime, including the Shriners and the Gideons. Billy loved to work, but also to travel, fish, work with his hands and was quite the craftsman. He had a good sense of humor, as one niece stated, “fun and laughter ensued when Uncle Bill was around.” Special thanks go to his step-nieces Karen Burns and Debbie Smith. They were faithful and true to the end and the entire family is grateful for their watch-care, love and devotion to Billy in his latter years. As we observe his home-going, Billy will be missed by many, but his life of service to God, country, and family leaves an indelible mark as a legacy along with memories of a life well lived. As Billy would say “Not bad for an old country boy!" In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to either of the following: The Gideons International Processing Center. P.O. Box 97251, Washington, DC 20090-7251; Pine Hill Baptist Church, 4233 Old Waynesboro Rd, Hephzibah, GA 30815; or Sherwood Baptist Church, 3131 Old Louisville Rd, Augusta, GA 30906. Chance & Hydrick Funeral Directors, 2502 Richmond Hill Road, Augusta, GA, 30906. www.chanceandhydrick.com

Mr. Billy Joe Smith

August 27, 1931 - October 12, 2023