William McBee Smith, of Spartanburg, passed away on Tuesday, June 8, 2021, at Spartanburg Regional Medical Center. Billy, as he was fondly known, was the son of the late Roy McBee Smith, Sr., and Grace Jackson Smith.
Billy is survived by his beloved wife and best friend, Karen Shoemaker Smith, and his wonderful three sons, Taylor, Jacob and Walker, all of Spartanburg, SC.
Billy was born in Spartanburg, SC, in 1957, and was a graduate of Spartanburg High School. He received a B.A. in history from The Citadel and went on to honorably serve our country for four years as a Captain in the US Air Force. He continued serving the Air Force as a member of the USAF Intelligence Service from 1980 to 1993.
He attended the University of South Carolina Law School and, after receiving his J.D. in 1988, joined the Spartanburg law firm of Smith and Haskell, where he was a Managing Partner. He was a long-standing member of the American Bar Association.
Billy was past president of The Citadel Spartanburg Alumni Club and a longtime member of the Spartanburg Downtown Rotary Club and The St. Andrews Society of Upper South Carolina.
Perhaps Billy’s greatest impact was as an active member and champion of the Boy Scouts of America. Having received his Eagle Scout award in 1970, he encouraged his sons to become Scouts, and all four were members of BSA Troop 22 at Trinity Methodist Church. He was an Assistant Scout Master for Troop 22 for over ten years. He was proud of all three of his sons for earning the rank of Eagle Scout.
Billy, Karen, and their sons enjoyed traveling, the outdoors, hiking, and camping.
Billy is also survived by his five siblings: Edith McBee Hardaway (William Eads) of Greenville; Grace Walker Bourke (David) of Spartanburg; Ella McBee Cart (Ben – deceased) of St. Simons Island, GA; Mary Jane Poole (J. Roger); and Roy McBee Smith, Jr. (Bea Walters) of Spartanburg as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
In remembrance of Billy, memorials may be made to The Spartanburg County Foundation, 424 East Kennedy Street, Spartanburg, SC 29302.
A memorial service will be held Thursday, June 17, 2021, at 4:00 pm at First Presbyterian Church in Spartanburg.
Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.jmdunbar.com
Posted in: J M Dunbar Funeral Home
Posted on: 2021-06-14
Link to original obituary: https://www.jmdunbar.com/obituary/william-smith