William Leonard “Bill” Smith, Jr.
RALEIGH – William Leonard “Bill” Smith, Jr., aged 85, died unexpectedly February 18, 2022, at his home in Raleigh. He was born February 17, 1937, in Darlington, South Carolina, the son of William Leonard Smith, Sr. and Mildred Ann (Stokes) Smith.
Bill graduated from St. John’s High School, Darlington, Class of 1955, where he played tackle on the football team. He attended Clemson University but took a sabbatical to go to work as an electrician at the Dupont Florence Mylar Plant. He met and married Janie Marie “Dinah” Floyd, and with her raised two children, Bobbie Lyn and Eric.
With a strong desire to provide for his family, Bill completed his education at Francis Marion University with a degree in Chemistry, Class of 1976, and moved his family to Raleigh, North Carolina, where he enjoyed a successful career in Sales with Dupont until his retirement in 1997.
Bill was an active and enthusiastic Boy Scout leader at the Trinity United Methodist Troop 504 in Darlington. In Raleigh, Bill became an active member at Millbrook United Methodist Church.
He enjoyed traveling the world with his wife, Dinah. Together they saw every continent except Antarctica, and particularly enjoyed visits to Germany, Russia, China, Costa Rica, and New Zealand.
A lifelong Clemson sports fan, Bill was a charismatic, outgoing man with natural leadership qualities and a comedic wit. He held strong opinions on many subjects and maintained a devout Christian faith.
Bill is survived by his wife Dinah, daughter Bobbie Lyn Smith (Scott Hintz), San Jose, California, son William Eric Smith (Anne), Raleigh, brother Robert Connor Smith (Beverly), Bedford, Massachusetts, and sister Charlotte Ann Smith McCall (Steve), Charlotte, North Carolina.
A service of remembrance will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, March 26 at Millbrook United Methodist Church, 1712 E Millbrook Rd, Raleigh, NC 27609. A reception will be held immediately afterward at the church.
