Billy Joe Smith

Billy Joe Smith, 69, of Sherwood, Ohio, left this world to see his loving Savior face-to-face on January 4, 2019, at University of Michigan Hospital, Ann Arbor, MI, surrounded by his loving daughters and sons-in-law. 

He was born on March 16, 1949, to Henry Lee and Belvia (Sansom) Smith in Wilkinson, West Virginia. On July 5, 1968, he married Cordella Sue (Burke) who preceded him in death after nearly 50 years of marriage. He is survived by two children, Kelly (Drew) Gardner of Jones, MI, and Amanda (Dale) McDorman of Brooklyn, MI; and a “baker’s dozen” set of grandchildren, Seth, Noah, Isaiah, Elijah, Grace, Zechariah, Mercy, Hope, Peace, and Micaiah Gardner and Faith, Luke, and Jordan McDorman; his mother (who passed away just hours after him); a brother, Benjamin (Melvina) Smith; a sister, Brenda Bova; and an aunt who was more like a sister, Beulah McLemore.

He is preceded in death by his parents, wife, and brothers, Floyd Smith and Robert (Deborah) Smith.

Billy enjoyed many hobbies over the years including camping  (Sunny’s Campground in Wauseon, OH, in the later years), fishing, golfing, paintballing, taking care of his mom and mother-in-law, traveling, crossword puzzles, sculpting trees, euchre, and spending time with family and friends. He and Cordella ran Cordi-nates, a wedding decoration business, for a number of years. Billy was quiet, sensitive, gruff, loyal, and friendly. He loved to joke about being “finer than frog hair,” guys wearing shorts having “chicken legs,” and eating bologna. He loved to work in the children’s ministry and to serve in quiet ways behind the scenes at his church.

Billy was a graduate of Logan High School, Logan, West Virginia, in 1967. After graduation, he moved to Ohio to seek employment. After working at Campbell’s, Ohio Art, Challenge-Cook, and Spangler’s, he was hired at General Motors where he joyfully remained employed as a millwright for over 35 years before his retirement. 

He was formerly a member of Second Baptist Church, Defiance, and Emmanuel Baptist Church, Paulding, Ohio.

While our hearts are broken for the time we will be without him, we rejoice for what he has gained. Visitation for Billy and his mother, Belvia Smith, will be held on Thursday January 10, 2019, from 2:00-8:00 pm and funeral services will be held at 11:00am on Friday, January 11, 2019, at the Schaffer Funeral Home, Defiance, Ohio with Drew Gardner and Pastor Max Begley officiating. Burial will follow at Riverview Memory Gardens. 

Memorials are suggested to University of Michigan Cancer Center. Online condolences can be given at www.Schafferfh.com.
 
 

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