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Submitted: 8/20/24 • Approved: 8/20/24 • Last Updated: 8/23/24 • R600113-G600113-S3
Billy T. Smith
1915-2007
Please see military marker
Margaret Johnston Smith
1915-2001
Please see closeup view
*Photo, courtesy M. Bishop
*Obituary Billy T. Smith
Billy T. Smith, 92, of Big Spring, died on Friday, October 26, 2007, in a local hospital.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM Monday, October 29, 2007 at the First Baptist Church with Dr. Kenneth Patrick, officiating. Interment will follow at Trinity Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM Sunday at the funeral home.
Billy was born on the family farm, one mile south of Rule, Texas, on September 22, 1915 to Hartwell and Ruth (Turner) Smith.
He had two brothers, Carl and Ted and one sister, Sue.
He grew up on the family farm where he remained until January 1, 1938. On this date he entered Tyler Commercial College on a twelve months study program and completed this program in eight months.
While in Tyler, he met Margaret Johnston, who was the one lady that he was looking for to become his wife. They married on October 15, 1938 and had more than 62 glorious years together before she was called home to Glory by our loving Lord.
At the age of nineteen, the First Baptist Church of Rule elected him financial secretary, where he handled all the incoming church receipts, until he resigned to go to Tyler.
Billy worked in the office of the Rule Farmers Gin Coop during the fall ginning seasons of 1936, 1937 and 1938. After the cotton ginning season was over in 1938, Billy accepted a job with Buie Implement Company in Stamford. He worked at Buie's until the fall of 1941. At that time he was hired to become a part of the office force at Cosden Petroleum Corp.
In January 1944, he received his call to join the United States Army, where he served until May 1946, when he was discharged as a Staff Sergeant.
He then returned to Cosden. In April of 1951 he was offered an office position with Mead's Auto Supply, here in Big Spring, which he accepted. In the fall of 1963, Mr. Mead sold the store and Billy opened his own accounting office, where both he and Margaret woked until 1984. He sold his practice and retired on this date.
During the years he has lived in Big Spring, he has served in many positions in the First Baptist Church. Just to list a few, Sunday School teacher, usher, Deacon, Church Treasurer, Greeter, plus nearly anything that was needed he was always willing to try. He was Treaurer of Big Spring Baptist Association for 31 years.
In the community, he was an election judge for more than 30 years and a member of the first Howard County Tax Appraisal Board. In 1968 he became a member of the Big Spring Kiwanis Club. He has perfect attendance from the beginning; served as secretary-treasurer most of the time from 1971; has also served as Lieutenant Governor four different times for Division 22 (West Texas), and served as Governor of the Texas/Oklahoma District from 1988-1989. He is a member of the President's Advisory Council of the Kiwanis International Foundation and held life membership status at both the district and international level. In addition, Billy found time to served 18 years as a Trustee for the University of Mary Hardin Baylor, a Baptist University, located in Belton. In 2000 he received a Distinguished Service Medallion Award and in 2002 he was honored as Trustee Emeritus (he was one of nine to receive this award). The University is 157 years old and these nine people were the first group so honored.
Billy also served as a volunteer at Citizens Federal Credit Union for more that 20 years, first as a member and later Chairman of the Supervisory Committee and as a Director.
He is survived by one sister, Sue Mooney of Hurst; one brother, Ted Smith of Kerrville and several nieces and nephews and a host of friends.
The family suggests memorials be made to the Kiwanis Texas/Oklahoma Foundation, 624 Six Flags Drive, Suite 265, Arlington, Texas 76011-6342 or to First Baptist Church, 705 West FM 700, Big Spring, Texas 79720.
Arrangements under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Big Spring. Online condolences can be made at: www.npwelch.com
https://npwelch.com/obituary/
*Obituary Margaret Johnston Smith
Smith, Margaret Ruth, 85, of Big Spring, died on Thursday, January 25, 2001, at her residence.
Funeral services will be at 2:00 PM Monday, January 29, 2001, at the First Baptist Church with Dr. Kenneth Patrick, chaplain with Baptist Memorials Center in San Angelo, officiating. Interment will follow at Trinity Memorial Park.
She was born on April 9, 1915 in Fort Worth, Texas and married Billy Turner Smith on October 15, 1938 in Abilene, Texas.
Mrs. Smith co-owned and operated Billy Smith Bookkeeping with her husband.
She was very active in assisting her husband with the Kiwanis Club.
She was a loving wife and homemaker.
She was a member of First Baptist Church where she taught Sunday school and was active in the Women's Missionary Union and the Girl's Auxiliary.
Survivors include her husband, Billy Smith of Big Spring; two sisters, Anne Ginn of Tyler and Irma Dee Kettelwell of Denton; one brother, R. D. Johnston of Jamestown, Kansas; one sister-in-law, Dallie Johnston of Tyler; and numerous nieces, nephews and many good friends.
Pallbearers will be Tom McCann, Carson Balzrette, Joe Cook, Jim Lemons, Dana Jones and Dick Helms. Honorary pallbearers are the Deacons of First Baptist Church and the Big Spring Kiwanis Club.
The family suggests memorials to: First Baptist Church, 705 W. FM 700, Big Spring, Texas 79720; Home Hospice, 600 Gregg St., Big Spring, Texas 79720 or to Texas-Oklahoma Kiwanis District Foundation, 616 Six Flags Dr. #136, Arlington, Texas 76011-6303.
The family will receive friends from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM Sunday at the funeral home.
Arrangements under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home.
https://npwelch.com/obituary/
Contributed on 8/20/24 by neldapat
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Record #: 600113