William Smith

William Smith (“Smitty”) was born January 19, 1933 in Griffin, Georgia.  He departed this life on Friday, September 21, 2018 in Columbia, South Carolina.

Smitty was educated in the public schools of Spalding County, Georgia before enlisting in the United States Army in 1955, where he served as a Drill Sergeant in Fort Bragg, North Carolina and Fort Jackson, South Carolina, as well as in the Artillery Unit in Korea and Hawaii.  He served his country honorably for over 20 years, earning many medals and badges, including the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal and National Defense Service Medal, before retiring.  He later became a Charter Member of the B’Natural Grand Lodge #078 in 1976, and served as a dedicated Mason for over 20 years, holding various leadership positions in the organization, including Grand Senior Warden for Lodge #078 and Past Worshipful Master for Henry Williams Lodge #24.

Smitty and Ethel Metze shared 45 years together, and between the two of them had three children: Mary Pitchford (deceased), David Sulton and Hazel Starks.  He accepted Christ as his personal Savior, and attended Second Nazareth Baptist Church in Columbia, South Carolina.

Smitty leaves to cherish his loving memory: his wife, Ethel Metze Smith of Columbia, SC; son, David Sulton of East Orange, New Jersey; daughter, Hazel Starks of Decatur, GA; son-in-law, James Pitchford of Fayetteville, NC (Mary, deceased); three granddaughters Vita Robinson of Columbia, SC, Barbara Howard of Fayetteville, NC, and Michelle McGirt of Fayetteville, NC; grandson, Johnnie Starks of Decatur, GA; three great-granddaughters Shaquita Derrick of Tampa, Florida, LaKisha Jones of Charlotte, NC, and Chante’ Howard of Atlanta, GA; and four great great-grandchildren Brandon, Chayil, Joel, and Ny’lah; and a host of Masonic family and other caring friends who will miss him dearly.

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