Billy D. Smith

Mr. Billy D. Smith of Cookeville, TN, age 82, died Saturday October 16, 2021 at Vanderbilt Wilson County Medical Center. His family will receive friends Friday evening, October 22nd from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the Cookeville chapel of Hooper-Huddleston & Horner Funeral Home. He was born August 29, 1939 in the Dry Valley community of Putnam County to the late Haskell and Avo Thomas Smith. Bill was an accomplished athlete throughout. In his youth, he starred in basketball and volleyball while attending Dry Valley School. He received a football scholarship from the University of Tennessee as part of Johnny Majors' first recruiting class. He played three years for the Vols as a defensive back. He continued to play volleyball into his mid-seventies and was a gold medal winner in the 2003 Senior Olympics. Bill began working at Dunn's Auto Parts in 1962 and purchased the business in 1981 and owned the business until 2000. A lifelong farmer, he raised cattle, tobacco and hay. He was an avid gardener until his recent illness. He was a longtime member of Collegeside Church of Christ and attended Jefferson Ave. Church of Christ in recent years. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by brothers, Willis Smith, Hulon Smith and Flavious Smith. Brother Buddy Smith of Dayton died Monday night (October 18, 2021). He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Gail Phillips Smith; son, Randall (Donna) Smith of Carthage; daughter, Kathy (Wayne) Porter of Knoxville; grandchildren, Brandy (David) Dillon, Jacob (Jessica) Smith, Jarod Smith, Matt (Sabrina) Cruze and Wesley Porter; great grandchildren, Jaxon Smith, Kynlee Cruze, Keegan Cruze, Luke Porter, Erica Dillon and Zach Dillon; and Sisters, June Jackson of Dayton, OH and Dean (Raymond) Pipkin of Brentwood, TN. Members of Bill's Friday morning breakfast group will be honorary pallbearers: Monty Lowe, Bill Davidson, Bruce McLarty, Durley McLarty, Mike McCormick, Phil Hall, James Gentry, Bob Birdwell, Roscoe Limbaugh, Davis Hodges, Robert Breeding and Chet Gentry. Memorial contributions are suggested to be made to Collegeside Church of Christ mission work, 252 E 9th Street, Cookeville, TN 38501 and/or Jefferson Ave Church of Christ food pantry, 521 S Jefferson Ave., Cookeville, TN 38501. Hooper Huddleston & Horner Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. (931)526-6111. Share memories and condolences at www.hhhfunerals.com.