William Smith

William Ray Smith departed this life on March 7, 2016. He began this life on July 20, 1936, in Fair Play, South Carolina to the union of the late Preston and Irobia Grant Smith. He was the second of four siblings: Shirley Rice, the late Horace Edward Smith and the late Geneva Smith.

William R. Smith was addressed as and answered to, “Ray.” He joined Snow Hill Baptist Church at an early age and later in life, he joined Paramount Park Baptist Church.

He attended Anderson Oconee Training School where he earned his high school diploma. Ray went on to make a career of trucking and for 30 years, he was a successful truck driver .

Preceding him in death were one son, Earnest Smith and two daughters, Gwendolyn and Cheryl Smith and one stepson, Arbera Lee Lindsey.

Surviving are his wife of 33 years, Louise Lindsey Smith of the home; daughters, Ruby (Rocky) Folston of Newark, NJ, Patricia Smith of Greenville, Melissa Green of Seneca, Valerie Smith of Greenville, Betty (Victor) Hales of San Jose, CA, and Beatrice Smith of Oakland, CA; sons, William Ray Smith, Jr. of Greenville and Elliot Smith of Newark, NJ; sister, Shirley J. Rice of Greenville; stepchildren, William (Linda) Lindsey of Powdersville, Tommy Lindsey of Greenville, Chancey (Dennis) Lindsey-Peake of Greenville, Linda (Charles) Drummond of Greenville, Lucille (Rodney) Wilson of Niceville, FL, and Vernita (Benjamin) Jackson of Greenville; thirty grandchildren, forty-three great-grandchildren, thirteen great-great-grandchildren, numerous step-grands, great-grands and great-great-grands and a host of other relatives and friends.