Willis Smith

Funeral service for Buddy Smith, of Sulphur Bluff will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Wednesday, December 6, 2023 at First Church, Sulphur Springs with Bro. Jared Davis officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service.  Interment will follow at Sulphur Bluff Cemetery with Aaron Swanson, Charles Shelton, Joseph Shelton, Ryan Ward, Daniel Huie, Austin Smith, Jordan Smith and Ralph Calhoun serving as pallbearers.  Serving as honorary pallbearers are David Swanson, Don Townsend, Joe Don Shelton, Ricky Williams, Chuck Collin, Alton Mitchell and Jim Scherlach.  Mr. Smith passed away peacefully on December 4th, 2023, surrounded by family. Buddy lived a long life of 87 years.

Willis “Buddy” Smith was born on June 11th, 1936 in Faulke, Arkansas, he moved to Sulphur Bluff, TX in 1959, where he became a long-time community member. Buddy worked on a ranch in Sulphur Bluff, Texas for over 40 years. He saw the ranch change many hands and names during his time there. Not only did he raise his family on that land, but he also spent countless numbers of hours pouring his blood, sweat, and tears into it. When he wasn’t working, you would find him fishing, Buddy loved to fish. He retired in 2006 and lived out his retirement feeding animals big and small, and later on, spoiling his great-grandchildren.

Buddy is survived by his loving wife of 61 years Willa Dean Smith, son Jeffery Smith and wife Summer, daughter Susan Swanson and husband David. Six grandchildren, granddaughter Casey Huie and husband Daniel, granddaughter Chelsey Fite and wife Sara, granddaughter Sierra Ward and husband Ryan, grandson Aaron Swanson, Austin Smith, and Jordan Smith. He leaves behind four great-grandchildren who brought him so much joy, Cason, Weston, Mattalie, and Lorabelle Huie. He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Gene and Nettie Altom Smith, and sister Wanda Lee Calhoun.

Buddy was a simple man, who lived a simple life. He had the biggest heart and was a fierce protector. And, while some might even say he was strong-willed and stubborn, he would go out of his way to help someone in need. He loved God, his beautiful wife, and his family. He will be greatly missed by all. Although there is sadness and grief, this is also a time for celebration, a celebration of the life Buddy shared with so many. Even though he is no longer physically with us, his memory will live on through the people that he impacted the most. He will forever be in our hearts.

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning, great is your faithfulness.” -Lamentations 3:22-23