Services for Mr. Billy Wayne Smith, 91, of Fruitvale were held on Wednesday, June 8, 2022, at Roundflat Pentecostal Church, with Bro. Homer Morgan officiating, under the direction of Bartley Funeral home.

Interment was in small

Cemetery.\Mr. Smith passed away June 6, 2022, in Grand Saline. He was born March 31, 1931, in Edgewood, to Henry Hubert and Nellie Mae Cofer Smith. Billy Wayne spent most of his life in the Van Zandt County area where he was a member of Roundflat Pentecostal Church. He served in the US Air Force from 1952-1956. Mr. Smith retired from Morton Salt Co. in 1986, after 31 years of service. Billy Wayne was a great fisherman and hunter, farmed and ranched most of his life, and loved baseball. He especially enjoyed watching the Easy Riders softball team.

Mr. Smith was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 70 years, Pauline Smith, and sister, Nelda Vines.

Survivors include his three sons, Eddie Smith and wife, Robin, of Fruitvale, Tim Smith and wife, Debbie, of Fruitvale, and Phillip Smith and wife, Tanya, of Edgewood; sister, Melba Williams and husband, Eric, of Mesquite; seven grandchildren, Cory Smith and wife, Amy; Arica Denson and husband, Paul; Wade Smith and wife, Shelby, Dusty Smith and wife, Brittany, Aaron Smith, Ty Smith and wife, Jessica, and Tim Rayner and wife, Dora; 14 great-grandchildren, Mason Smith, Brice McCord Smith, Mattie Smith, Elle Denson, Eden Denson, Tim Rayner Jr., Wyatt Rayner, Jessica Rayner, Bryden Wilson, Makenna Smith, Ava Smith, August Smith and Lincoln Smith along with numerous other relatives and friends.\

The grandchildren served as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers were the Easy Riders, James Littlejohn, Gary Fisher, Ben Koonce, Gayle Lovette, Mike Peden, Bobby Davidson, Butch Grier, Eddie Stanley, Stephen Wayne Autrey, Roland Wheeler, Doug Daniels, Eddie Paul Stanley, Carrol Waddill, and Jimmy Woods.

The family received friends on Tuesday, June 7, 2022, at Bartley Funeral Home.

The family wishes to extend a special thank you to Caring Hearts Hospice and Azalea Nursing & Rehabilitation for their exceptional care of their dad.