William Roy Smith

William Roy Smith, Jr. of Powder Springs, Ga. departed this earthly place on January 15, 2020. He was 88. Roy was known to most by virtue of his many years of public service in local government. His last position was with Fulton County as the Director of Finance until his retirement in 1991 after beginning in 1978 as the Assistant Director of Finance. Prior to working for the County, his career began as an accounting clerk for the City of Atlanta, where he advanced to the City’s Data processing department and where he ultimately retired as the Deputy Director of Finance from the city in 1978. Roy was born in Brunswick, Ga. in 1931, the son of William Roy Smith and Rosina Elizabeth Harris. He was a graduate of Georgia State University and attended Glynn Academy in Brunswick, GA. His early life in Brunswick revolved around the main industry at the time, fishing. He fished commercially as a young man and worked in a net shop for Mr. Frank Burbank in Fernandina, Florida. He was particularly fond of the Saturday afternoon western movies in town and would emulate his cowboy heroes mimicking a two handed draw and earning him the nickname in the net shop of “two gun”. He was a great story teller and kept his coworkers in the net shop entertained with wild west stories. Among Roy’s fondest boyhood memories are listening to the stories his grandparents told about their colorful and interesting lives; he honed his storytelling skills growing up with his grandparents and other relatives, several of whom were born prior to the Civil War. Perhaps this experience laid the foundation for Roy’s lifelong interest in history and for his own later storytelling skills. To quote a church friend who was recently reminiscing about Roy, “He was one of God’s great storytellers.” In the summer of 1943, Roy and several friends his age were trained to spot enemy aircraft by the Army Air Forces. They were stationed in the fire tower on the golf course in order to spot and then report all aircraft to Hunter air base. He was always proud of the certificate he received in 1944 for his part in the war effort. He later served in the United States Army and was stationed in Japan. Roy was interested in history and enjoyed researching his family genealogy. He also was interested in the history of the Bible, completing the 4 year Episcopal study program, EFM (Education for Ministry) at St. James Episcopal church in Marietta where he was a member and for several years led a Bible study class there. He was an avid golfer and spent may happy hours engaged in this pastime. He also enjoyed trips to Pawleys Island, SC with his family and enjoyed spending time in the North Carolina mountains. He rode motorcycles, owning several over the years, and was a certified open water scuba diver and an avid bird watcher. Roy is predeceased by his brothers David Smith, Julian Smith, and sister Barrie Carroll. He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Susan K. Houser Smith, his son, Douglas R. Smith, (Dorcie), his daughter, Beverly Jean “BJ” Lawrence, (Bill), Susan’s son Frank M. “Hank” Houser III, (Margot), Susan’s daughter, Beth D. Houser Coghlin, (Douglas). Roy loved his big extended family and especially his 7 grandchildren, Brandi Patterson, (Ray),Rose Issacs, (Shawn), Cheyanne Victorio, William Lawrence, Sarah Lawrence, Frank Houser, Robert Houser, and 2 great grandchildren, Bristol Patterson and Sebastian Issacs. A memorial service will be held at St. James Episcopal Church at a later date. In lieu of flowers the family request donations to be made to MSA Coalition 9935-D Rea Road, #212 Charlotte, NC 28277; or www.multiplesystemsatrophy.org/donate-now.

William Roy Smith

July 12, 1931 - January 15, 2020