William "Bill" Andrew Smith

Services for William Andrew (Bill) Smith will be conducted at 2 p.m. Sunday, November 16 at Pleasant Retreat United Methodist Church with Rev. Richard Luna officiating under the direction of Stewart Family Funeral Home. Bill Smith passed away peacefully on November 13, 2014. He was born in the New Harmony Community on January 22, 1935, to Maggie and Andrew Smith. He was raised in the Dixie community, attended Dixie School, Chandler High School, graduated from Tyler High School and attended Tyler Junior College. He survived a bout of childhood polio that left him temporarily paralyzed, but overcame it to become an excellent athlete. From 1955 to 1959, he served in the U.S. Navy, based at Camp Pendleton, CA, and on the U.S.S. Ticonderoga. He played on the Marines baseball team and was recruited to play major league baseball but decided to return to Texas instead. He had a brief career in the oil fields of West Texas, and then spent almost 50 years with Coca-Cola Enterprises, retiring in 2000 as the non-metro Texas fleet manager. All who knew him knew what a Coke man he was, and woe be to the person who might try to bring a non-Coke soft drink into his home! Bill was a member of Pleasant Retreat UMC, where he held many leadership positions and was past president of the Tyler West Camp of Gideons International. He was an avid hunter, fisherman, accomplished mechanic and had a beautiful singing voice. He was a loving and joyful man who was always first to help others in need. He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers Johnny, Lloyd and Roy. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Sue Hendley Smith; son Andy, and son-in-law, Paul von Wupperfeld, both of Dallas; sister Dolly Hawes, of Tyler along with several nieces, nephews and countless friends. The family wishes to express their appreciation to the staff of Prestige Estates and Grace Hospice for their loving care. Visitation will be held from 4:30-6 p.m. Saturday, November 15 at Stewart Family Funeral Home, 7525 Old Jacksonville Hwy, Tyler, TX 75703. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Alliance of Smith County, Gideons International Tyler West Camp (P.O. Box 9884 Tyler, TX 75711) or Pleasant Retreat UMC, 417 County Road 1143, Tyler, TX 75704.

William "Bill" Andrew Smith

January 22, 1935 - November 13, 2014