United Air Force & Marine Corps Veteran, Elder William Smith, Jr. of 815 West 28th Avenue, Cordele, Georgia died Saturday, September 7, 2024 at his residence.

The funeral service will be held Saturday, September 14, 2024 at 11:00 AM in the chapel of the J. W. Williams Funeral Home in Cordele, Georgia.  The burial, with military honors, will follow at the Bethel Cemetery in Cordele, Georgia.

Everyone entering the funeral home for visitations or services must wear a mask and practice social distancing.  A mask must be worn throughout the stay.  You must supply your own mask.

William Smith, Jr. was born August 4, 1951, in Fitzgerald, Georgia to the parentage of William Smith, Sr. and Bertha Amos. He attended the public schools of Fitzgerald where he was an honor student for all his high school years.

William served in the United States Air Force and the United States Marine Corps collectively for 16 1/2 years.  He was honorably discharged from his service on December 1, 1988.

William met the love of his life, the former Johnnie Mae Wilson, in January of 1992. The two were joined in holy matrimony on July 1, 1992.

Elder William Smith, Jr. became a member of Americus Pentecostal Church of the Apostolic Faith under the leadership of Elder Osby Moseley, Sr. in 1992. He was later called into the ministry teaching and preaching the Word of God. Elder Smith became a faithful member of the church where no job was too large or too small for him.

He served on the church's governing board, became the Sunday School Superintendent, the Sunday School Adult Class teacher, and served as the church's custodian for many years. He provided transportation for members who did not have a way to church. As a spiritual leader in the church, Elder Smith preached many encouraging and enlightening sermons. He took the regular Friday night worship services to a higher level and named it "Friday Night Live!" He worked faithfully and tirelessly until his health began to fail.

William enjoyed traveling, watching Westerns, and listening to his Gospel cassette tapes and CDs. Born with a nurturing spirit, he and his wife served as babysitters and well as foster parents to many children over the years.

Whether working in the school system or just meeting someone in the store, Elder Smith was truly an inspiration. He carried the LOVE of Jesus in his heart and shared it joyfully.

On Saturday, September 7, 2024, Elder Williams Smith, Jr. traded the cares of this life to embrace his eternal rest with the Lord. He is preceded in death by his parents, his grandsons, Corie Smith, Jr. and Nicholas Grant; his siblings, Margarett Robinson, and Mary Jane Hill and his son-in-law, Charles Peacock.

His life will forever be cherished and remembered by his loving, faithful and devoted wife, Mrs. Johnnie Mae Smith of Cordele, Georgia; his loving children, Mr. Kevin Smith, Mr. Corie Smith, Sr., Mrs. Serena (Eric) Butler, and Ms. Margerette Smith all of Fitzgerald, Georgia, Mrs. Janifred Peacock and Mr. Rodney Davis both of Cordele, Georgia, and Mr. Willie Davis, Jr. of Panama City, Florida; his grandchildren: Eric Butler Jr. of Fitzgerald,   Georgia, Mr. Emmanuel Butler of Fitzgerald, Georgia, Ms. Nikeria Smith of Fitzgerald, Georgia Mr. JayQuan Smith of Fitzgerald, Georgia, Mr.  Trayvonta Smith of Fitzgerald, Georgia, Sis. Sonya Daniels of Cordele,    Georgia, Mr. Reginald Davis of Cordele, Georgia, Miss Ja'Mirra Nettles of Cordele, Georgia and Miss Ashley Davis of Vienna, Georgia; his in-laws, Mrs. Ruth Pinkett of Denver, Colorado, Ms. Barbara Wilson of Warner   Robins, Georgia, Mr. Roscoe (Gladys) Wilson, Mrs. Mary Kinchen, Deacon Johnny Wilson (Sheila), Mr. Woodrow Wilson, Ms. Linda Wilson, Mr. Leon (Nancy) Wilson, and Mrs. Loweta Harris all of Cordele, Georgia; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and many sorrowing friends, to include his Americus Pentecostal Church of the Apostolic Faith family.