James William "Bill" Smith

Mr. James William “Bill” Smith, aka Big Daddy, 95, passed away Tuesday, June 2, 2026. He was born on November 14, 1930, in Forsyth County, NC to the late George Rutherford Smith, Sr. and Bertha Adams Smith. Bill served his country in the United States Navy from 1948-1952 on the USS Albany. After his time in the Navy, he went on to work at RJ Reynolds where he retired after 37 years in the sheet metal shop. He was of the Baptist faith and a member of the American Legion Post 290. Bill was a jack of all trades but a master of none. He was rough around the edges, but once you got to know him, he was a very caring and kind-spirited person. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his first wife, Frances Todd Smith; second wife, Sue Smith; one sister and brother-in-law, Ruth Smith Dezarn (Wayne); two brothers, infant brother and Charlie Monroe Smith and his wife Doris. Bill is survived by his son, Stephen Smith, Sr.; daughter, Janice Smith Walker (Steve); two grandchildren, Stephen Smith, Jr. and Stephanie Brinkley; two step-grandchildren, Christopher Walker (Lisa) and Michael Walker (Cynthia); five great-grandchildren; two brothers, Ray Smith (Nannie Sue) and George Smith, Jr (Ann); and numerous nieces and nephews.

Mr. Smith will lie-in-state on Sunday, June 7, 2026, from 9am to 4pm at Hayworth-Miller Funeral Home in Rural Hall, NC. The family will receive friends from 1pm to 2pm Monday, June 8, 2026, at the funeral home. A graveside will be conducted at 2:30pm Monday June 8, 2026, at Crestview Memorial Park in Rural Hall, NC with military honors conducted by American Legion Post 290. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Trellis Supportive Care, 101 Hospice Lane, Winston-Salem, NC, 27103.