William Doyle Smith (8-4-11)

COMMERCE - William Doyle Smith, 85, died at his residence on Thursday, August 4, 2011.

He was preceded in death by a daughter, Barbara Kathleen Smith; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Andrew J. Smith, Sr.; brothers, A.J. Smith, Jr. and Raymond Earl Smith; sisters, Gaynell Meline, Hazel Young and Bessie Cruse.

Bill was a WWII Navy veteran. He loved his country and served in that war in the Pacific on the tanker Maumee as a gunner. He was a professional photographer and retired in the mid 80's. Bill was a member of the Beaver Brook Country Club in Knoxville, Tenn. and was an avid golfer and gardener. He never met a stranger and was loved and well thought of by all who knew him. He loved to laugh, was a bit of a prankster, loved his girls and enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. He always looked forward to taking Mom to Hardees for lunch and just hanging out there with his friends. He was of the Christian denomination and a member of the Homer Baptist Church. He was born and raised in Quitman, Miss., where his body will be returned for burial.

Survivors include his wife of 62 years, Kathleen Early Smith; children, Kathy Barron, Duluth, and Debbie and Jerry Loftice, Homer; grandchildren, Molly Burnette, Drew Barron, Kristi and Jason Johnson and Jeremy and Abbie Loftice; great-grandchildren, Cooper, Audrey and Elle Johnson, Owen and Emily Loftice and Logan Burnette; his dog and best friend, Dixie; many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Local funeral services are scheduled for Saturday, August 6, at 3:30 p.m. from the chapel of Ivie Funeral Home in Commerce with the Rev. Charles Crabbe officiating. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Saturday from 1 p.m. until the time of service. Bill will then be transported to Wright Funeral Home in Quitman, Miss. where funeral services are scheduled for Monday, August 8 at 12:30 p.m. in the chapel of Wright Funeral Home.

The family will receive friends there from 10 a.m. until the time of service. Interment will follow with military honors at the Odd Fellows Cemetery in Quitman, Miss.

Ivie Funeral Home, Commerce, is in charge of local arrangements.