William Thomas "Billy" Smith born Oct. 21,1935 in Rocky Hock, Chowan County, NC passed away August 11, 2015. He grew up and lived in Holland area of Nansemond County (now Suffolk) VA from 1939 until 1961. A 1953 graduate of Holland High School, Billy served in the Virginia Army National Guard '54 to '61; farmed from 1952 to 1962, a Sales/Service Rep for Dixie Guano Co 1963 to 1965, Sales/Service Rep for Ferguson Mfg., Co. 1965 to 1971, Sales/Service Rep for Kelley Mfg. Co., Tifton, GA 1971 to 1998, retired as Northeast USA & Caribbean Sales Manager for Kelley Mfg. Co., Tifton, GA.

Billy was a pioneer in the 70's and 80's for the practice of under the row sub soiling in the Southeast USA and Mid Atlantic area, a tillage practice still being used today. He designed, marketed, and serviced several different versions of Farm Implements for field crops as well as special Implements for East Coast Vegetable Growers and the Caribbean.

A past member of Holland Baptist Church, Holland, VA, a past member of Hunterdale Christian Church, Franklin, VA, and a current member of Bethlehem Christian Church, Suffolk, VA. A past member and treasurer of the Bethlehem Ruritan Club and the Carolinas Equipment Dealer's Association.

Billy played Tenor Banjo and Rhythm Guitar with the Lowlanders/Prison Crew Wanchese, NC and for a short time played rhythm guitar with John Baggett and The Harbor Lights.

Billy was predeceased by his father, Lewis Carl Smith, Sr.; his mother, Lucille "Lady" Byrum Smith; and a sister, Doris Jean Smith. He was a grandson of William Lloyd, Sr. and Susie Bass Smith of Rocky Hock in Chowan County, NC and James Thomas and Sarah Jane Daniels Byrum of Corapeake, Gates Co., NC.

Billy is survived by his wife of 59 years, Jean Stancell Smith; two daughters, Janet Carole Smith Whitfield (JD), Chesapeake, VA, Jo Anne Smith White, Belvidere, NC; and a son, Thomas Ray Smith (Shelly) of Suffolk, VA; grandchildren, Joseph Britton Whitfield, Meagan Jeanette Whitfield, Courtney Smith Waugh, Victoria Jean "Tori" White, Brianna Page "Bri" White, Camryn Grace Smith, Logan Thomas Smith; step granddaughter, Myranda Waugh; and two very special close friends, brother-in-law and sister-in-law, E. Wayne and Cathy P. Stancell of Suffolk, VA; sisters, Betty Louise Smith Thompson (Bill), Los Alamitos, CA, Sally Sue Smith Glover (Danny), Suffolk, VA; brothers, Bobby Byrum Smith (Judy) Suffolk, VA, and Lewis C. Smith, Jr. of Roanoke, VA.

Parr Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the family. The family will receive friends other times at the residence. A funeral service will be held Saturday, August 15, 2015 at 11 a.m. at Bethlehem Christian Church with Rev. Matt Winters, Rev. Wayne Gardner, Norman March, and Lafayette Wilkins officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations are suggested to the Rocky Hock Ruritan Relay for Life, 107 Whites Landing Rd., Edenton, NC 27932 and / or the Bethlehem Christian Church Food Pantry, 1549 Holland Rd., Suffolk, VA 23434. Condolences may be registered online at www.parrfuneralhome.com.