Billy Joe Smith's Obituary
Billy Joe Smith, age 90, of Rehoboth Beach, DE passed away peacefully on February 12, 2025.
Born on November 20, 1934, in Iron City, Tennessee, Bill was the son of the late John and Alma (Tice) Smith. When he was a child, his family moved to Covington, Kentucky, where he along with his 8 siblings were raised in a large and loving family.
Following high school, Bill enlisted in the Air Force and served from January 1953 to January 1957. He left to become an Inspector for Boeing Aircraft in Philadelphia, PA. He then went into the auto sales business in Wilmington, DE for several years before opening his own business, Scotti Muffler, in Dover, DE.
In 2000, Bill and his wife Velma moved to Rehoboth Beach, DE to enjoy their retirement years. Bill was a natural “fixer” of anything mechanical and he was the person friends and neighbors would go to when they needed help with their machines. He loved to ride his scooters around town and over to the beach. He was also a licensed pilot, who enjoyed flying whenever he got the chance in years past.
For many years, Bill served as an Elder at the Rehoboth Presbyterian Church of Midway and helped to repair and modernize many of the church’s facilities. Both he and Velma enjoyed attending church every week and going out with friends afterwards for Sunday dinner.
Bill is survived by his loving wife of 69 years, Velma Joan (LaCave) Smith; his son Richard Smith of Canterbury, DE and daughter Penny Smith of Dover, DE; his granddaughter Krista Eckrote, her husband Toby and great-granddaughter Cora of Wilmington, DE.
He is also survived by his sisters Anna DuMoi of Hamilton, OH, and Joyce Kapp of Hamilton, OH; his brothers John Smith (JoAnn) of Independence, KY, Larry Smith (Joyce) of Lewes Center, OH, David Smith (Josie) of Fort Wayne, IN and Dale Smith (Shelly) of Independence, KY.
Bill was preceded in death by his daughter Terri Stefanoski of Dover, DE; and two of his brothers: Wallace Smith and Gene Smith, both of Kentucky.
A celebration of Bill’s life will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 22, 2025, at the Rehoboth Presbyterian Church of Midway, 19075 Coastal Hwy, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations in Bill’s memory be made to: Saint Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
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