Roy William Smith, III, age 74, of Decherd went to his heavenly home on Monday, April 4, 2022, surrounded by his loving family. Bill was born in Grundy County, Tennessee, on July 7, 1947 to Roy William Smith, Jr. and Mary Clementine Gallagher Smith. He was a beloved son, husband, brother, father, grandfather, uncle and friend. As the owner and operator of Bill Smith Farms, he was a respected businessman and friend to many. Bill, the oldest of eight children, grew up in the Alto community where he was a faithful member of St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church. Most recently, he and his family have been attending Alto United Methodist Church.
Bill married the love of his life, Betty Tims, in 1968. He spent the next 53 years with her close to his side at all times. Bill and Betty shared an endearing love for one another and an indescribable bond. Over the years, they enjoyed spending time with family and friends, playing cards, fishing on area lakes, traveling to casinos, sitting on the sidelines of countless sporting events and dining out for a good meal. Although, it is well known that Betty’s cooking was his favorite.
Bill was a lover of music and passed on that legacy to his children and grandchildren. As a young adult, he was a musician in a band called the Nomads. One of his favorite songs was “Louie Louie” by The Kingsmen.
Bill was an outdoorsman who enjoyed racoon hunting, fishing and mowing his lawn. He looked forward to fishing trips and was always available for a good fishing tale. He formed many treasured friendships over the years.
As a sports enthusiast, Bill instilled a love for competition in the lives of his children and grandchildren. He was a huge fan of the University of Tennessee football, the Atlanta Braves, Franklin County baseball, softball, cheerleading, soccer and basketball, Sewanee Baseball and any other sport being played by someone he loved. He loved a good baseball game and faithfully sported numerous different baseball caps over the years.
Most importantly, Bill was a dependable and sentimental family man who valued relationships over everything else. He was an encourager who passionately loved others. If you knew him, you loved him.
Bill was preceded in death by his mother, Mary Clementine (Roy Jr.) Smith; daughter, Holly Rochelle Smith; and son, Patrick Shay Smith. Bill is survived by his loving wife of fifty-three years, Betty (Tims) Smith of Decherd; children, Chris (Misti) Smith of Decherd; Nick Smith of Decherd; Sloane Smith of Decherd; grandchildren, Holly Stevens Layne (Tony), Shane Smith, Leah Smith, and Willa Walls; great-grandchildren, Jayda Solomon and Connor Solomon; father Roy Smith, Jr. of Decherd; siblings, Pam (Jimmy) Martin of Winchester, Cynthia Stovall of Winchester, Laura Stephens of Decherd, Joe (Kim) Smith of Winchester, Patti (Jimmy) Huber of Winchester, Dale (Kim) Smith of Decherd, and Stacie (Shannon) Medley of Winchester; and many nieces and nephews. Visitation will be from 5-8pm on Thursday, April 7, 2022, at Moore-Cortner Funeral Home. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, April 8, 2022, in the Chapel of Moore-Cortner Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Franklin Memorial Gardens with Jimmy Cole, Jimmy Martin, Ross Tanner, Jeremy Stephens, Bubba Ingleburger, David Cook, Mack Cullins and Kyle Palmer serving as pallbearers.
Moore-Cortner Funeral Home, 300 First Ave NW, Winchester, TN 37398, (931)-967-2222
