By Staff
William Thomas (Bill) Smithwick, 86, of Riverside Campground Road, The Ponzer Community, died unexpectedly on Friday morning, January 15, 2010 at his home.
Born in Ponzer Community of Hyde County, March 29, 1923, he was the son of the late Harold and Margaret Carver Smithwick. His father was accidentally killed in the log woods when Bill was 9 years old and his mother later married Macon Howard who became Bill’s step-father. Bill was married to Doris Lilley Smithwick who peceded him in death in May, 2008.
Bill served in the United States Navy for 13 years during the time that included World War II. He was the founder and long time proprietor of Riverside Campground and Smithwick Properties. He served for several years on the Board of Directors of N. C. Campground Assn., was a former member of Ponzer Ruritan Club, a member of Southern Albemarle Assn., previously served on the Albemarle Resource, Conservation and Development Board and was a member of Mt. Olive Church of Christ where he was a former deacon.
Funeral Services will be held at 2:30 p.m. Sunday in the Riverside Convention Center at the campground. Steve Bryan will officiate and burial will follow in the family cemetery at the campground. Chad Arthur, Doug Armstrong, Macon Smithwick, Gilbert Smithwick, Al Sawyer and Randy Clayton will serve as pallbearers.
Surviving are a son, Billy H. Smithwick and wife, Ellan of Glen Allen, VA; daughters, Thomasina S. Baynor and husband, Junior and Regina S. Woolard and husband, Wayne all of Belhaven; a brother, Gerald Smithwick of Belhaven; grandchildren, Billie Jo S. Darden and husband, Tyler, Bobby Jo Smithwick, Carr Baynor and wife, Lee, Shannon B. Braxton and husband, Richie, Brandi W. Mobley and husband, Bo, Brooke W. Dunbar and husband, Chuck and Brett Woolard and wife, Kayla; thirteen great-grandchildren.
He was also preceded in death by a brother, Harold D. Smithwick and a half-sister, Amy Lou Deese.
Flowers will be appreciated but the family suggests memorials to Mt. Olive Church of Christ, 39353 U.S. Highway 264, Belhaven NC 27810.
The family will receive friends at the home and the body will lie in state at the convention center during the hour prior to the service.
Arrangements by Bryan Funeral Service, Swan Quarter and online sympathy messages may be directed to www.bryanfs.com
Paid Obituary