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Billy William Smith, age 83, of Bainbridge, Georgia, passed away Wednesday, December 27, 2023, in Thomasville, Georgia.

Billy was born on January 4, 1940 in LaGrange, Georgia to Malcolm P. and Pearl F. Culberson Smith. Billy joined the United States Marine Corp on April 14, 1958 and served proudly until he retired in 1978. He served in the Vietnam War where he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant. Later retiring from the USMC, as a First Lieutenant. Billy became a history teacher and coach at Woodbury, Manchester and Bainbridge high schools until his retirement in May of 2000.

In 1961 Billy married Betty L. Hurr and they had two children. Billy was a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars where he served as post, district, and state commander where the Georgia Governor bestowed Billy as a honorary Colonel in the Georgia National Guard. He loved golfing and fishing and watching the Georgia Bulldogs play football. He enjoyed life and possessed a great sense of humor.

Billy was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Betty Lou; brothers, Arthur Smith, Charles Smith, Malcolm P. Smith Jr. and Jerry Smith; sisters, Myrtle Smith, Frances Smith Poague, Joyce M. Smith Bulloch, Geraldine Smith Reese, Mary M. Smith Williams, and Ella P. Smith Perrone. Survivors include one son, William B. Smith and one daughter, Belinda L. Allen; granddaughter, Celeste Smith; sister, Brenda F. Smith Clark; brother, Jimmy E. Smith; and many brothers and sister-in-laws, nieces and nephews.

The funeral service will be held at 10:00 am, Wednesday January 3, 2024 at Ivey Funeral Home Chapel with Reverend James Scarborough officiating. Interment will follow at Meriweather Memory Gardens in Manchester, Georgia.

Online visitors may sign the guest register at www.iveyfuneral.com.