Mr. Billie Harold Smith, 85, a resident of Luverne, Alabama, passed away peacefully at Flowers Hospital in Dothan on Monday, June 27, 2022. Funeral services for Mr. Smith will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, July 1, from the Chapel of Turners Funeral Home. Interment will follow in Live Oak Cemetery with Turners Funeral Home of Luverne directing.

Mr. Smith was born at home in Covington County in the Open Pond area on March 1, 1937. He was delivered by the local midwife who was affectionately known as “Granny Snowden.” After high school, Mr. Smith proudly served his country with the Merchant Marines and later enlisted in the United States Army. During his service, he was the head engineer responsible for the construction of the Nike Hercules surface-to-air missile, usually equipped with an atomic warhead, that was popularly used by both the United States and NATO for air defense due to its capability to take out short-range missiles in flight.

Following his honorable discharge, Mr. Smith returned home where he met the love of his life, Barbara Mitchell. They lived in Tallahassee, Florida for several years before later moving to the Luverne area to create B & S Refrigeration which he owned and operated along with his family for over 45 years. He had a very outgoing personality that served him well in his career. He always demonstrated the great importance and value of customer service and, because he knew how to take care of his customers, his business has continued to thrive for decades. He also firmly believed in hard work and he held to that standard throughout his entire life, even after others had long retired.

Hard work, however, never kept Mr. Smith from fully enjoying his life. Most mornings you could find him catching up on the local “news” at his favorite coffee spots with friends. In his free time, he had a fondness for hunting and fishing, especially deep sea fishing, and watching old Westerns. He was also a faithful member of Beda Baptist Church for many years.

Above all, he was a devoted family man who cherished his family as the biggest blessing in his life. There was never a doubt that his grandchildren were his favorite people and they loved him back just as fiercely. Mr. Smith knew that a moment spent with family and friends was never wasted time, and therefore they all built lovely memories together that will last a lifetime. Words cannot express how much he will be missed, but his loved ones will find comfort in those memories and the knowledge that he has been reunited with the love of his life, Barbara.

Mr. Smith was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 53 years, Barbara Mitchell Smith; parents, George Tillmon and Cloia Mae Paulk Smith; and brother, Walter Ray Smith. He is survived by his three children, Sharron (Gary) Shirley, Andy (Lisa) Smith, and Amanda (Barry) Reeves; grandchildren, Jared Shirley, Jeremy Shirley, Katie Marie Smith, Chloe Smith, Jayden Reeves, and Gaby Fortner; sisters, Eunice Grimes, Mary (Jack) Battle, and Shirley (Kenny) Floyd; and numerous nieces, nephews, and other extended family members and friends.

Active pallbearers will be Aaron Skipper, Anthony Mehaffey, Anthony Jones, John Oswald, TJ Sessions, and David Floyd.