William "Bill" Calvin Smith, Jr.

William Calvin Smith, Jr., loving husband, father and grandfather, of Montrose, AL, passed away on December 22, 2020 at the age of 84. Bill was born on March 17, 1936 in Memphis, TN to William Calvin Smith, Sr. and Mary Hunt Smith. After graduating from high school in Memphis, TN, he enrolled at Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering and a Master’s degree in Industrial Management. As a young man, he attended Culver Summer Naval Academy in Culver, IN and later during college enlisted in the US Army. He was the Honor Graduate of his field communications training course at Fort Jackson, SC. He then served four years in the US Army and TN National Guard. He began his professional career working for Proctor & Gamble in Cincinnati before acting as unit superintendent of the Polymer Division of Celanese Corporation in Shelby, North Carolina for many years. Bill met his future wife Martha Mason Earle, of Blacksher, AL, on a blind date while she was in nursing school at Emory University in Atlanta, GA. Bill and Martha were later married on June 12, 1959 and celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary this year. Bill loved gathering his family together around a dinner table laughing and swapping stories; cheering on his grandsons in sports and school; watching deer feed at dusk, picnicking on the sandy banks of Turkey Creek and all manner of outdoor activities at their family cabin in Blacksher, AL. Bill was an active participant in many community groups and activities. He served his community as a volunteer at Thomas Hospital in Fairhope for many years; was the leader of a Bible Study at Trinity Presbyterian Church; and enjoyed participating in a weekly gathering of special friends fondly nicknamed the ROMEOs (Really Old Men Eating Out) as well as a men’s fellowship group through his church. Bill leaves his loving wife Martha and their two children, William Calvin Smith III (Dawn), and Catherine Hunt Smith (Stephanie). He has three grandsons: William Calvin Smith IV; Matthew Lee Sherrill; and Andrew Tanner Smith. He is also survived by cousins from Memphis, Scott Blackburn (Kathy); and Randy Blackburn (Shelia). A graveside service for family and close friends will be held at Montgomery Hill Baptist Church in Tensaw, Alabama at 3:00 on January 5, 2021. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions may be made to Thomas Hospital Foundation, P.O. Box 929 Fairhope, AL 36532; Trinity Presbyterian Church, 545 S Mobile St, Fairhope, AL 36532; or Montgomery Hill Baptist Church, c/o John Chason, Esq, 412 Courthouse Square, Bay Minette AL 36507.