1944
2013
Thunderbolt, GA
Mr. William A. "Al" Smith, Sr., age 69, passed away early Monday at Candler Hospital. He was a native and longtime resident of Thunderbolt, GA and retired as a Captain from Savannah Fire and Emergency Services. Mr. Smith was a decorated Vietnam Veteran First Cav. and was a recipient of Chatham County Veteran of the Year. He was Vice Chairman of National Homeless and Unemployment Commission, Past American Legion Post 184 Legionnaire of the Year, Past Chef de Gare, and Past Commander of American Legion Post 184. Mr. Smith was a representative of Chatham County VAVS for the Charleston VA Hospital, Chatham County Past Chairman Veteran's Council, First District Commander of Department of Georgia, and State Commander of Department of Georgia. He was a past member of the St. Patrick's Day Parade Committee, Thunderbolt Men's Club, Chairman of Blessing of the Fleet, member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, member of Anavictus Honor Guard of Canada, and the Marine Rescue Squad 3A. Mr. Smith was a Past President of Local 574 IAFF, was an American Legion Liaison for Congressman Jack Kingston, and Director/Staff Department of Georgia Boys State. He was a member of the Thunderbolt Baptist Church and a volunteer with the Thunderbolt Fire Department.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Alver Lawton Smith and Marjorie Alfreda Horne.
Survivors include two sons, Joseph Shane Smith of Thunderbolt, Al (Rachel) Smith of Gastonia, NC; his grandson, Cotton Smith of Gastonia, NC; siblings, Lawton C. Smith, Sr. (Jimmy Rivers) of Thunderbolt, James F. (Janet) Smith of Thunderbolt, Michael G. (Electra) Smith of Richmond Hill, and Virginia (Maurice) Dixon of Thunderbolt; his loving partner of forty five years, Nancy Richards of Thunderbolt; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Visitation will be held Wednesday from 6:00 until 8:00 P.M. at Fairhaven Funeral Home, Hubert C. Baker Chapel.
The funeral service will be held Thursday at 12:00 P.M. at Thunderbot Baptist Church.
The body will lie in state at the church one hour prior to the funeral service.
Interment will follow in Forest Lawn Memory Gardens.
Active pallbearers will be Charles Black, Buddy Gallaher, Billy Heitman, John Henry, George Howard, and Johnny McKenzie.
Honorary pallbearers will be American Legion Post 184 Color Guard and Legion Members, Savannah Fire and Emergency Service and Thunderbolt Fire Department.
Interment will be in Forest Lawn Memory Gardens.
Fairhaven Funeral Home, Hubert C. Baker Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
January 22, 2014
Michael McCarthy
By sincere belated condolences in the passing of Al. He was a special person and will be missed.
January 22, 2014
My sincere belated condolences in the passing of Al. He was a special person and will be missed.
December 21, 2013
Anne welch
We send our condolences from Alabama. I'm so glad I got to see all of you this past summer. Sending hugs and prayers for peace.
December 17, 2013
Arnie Geiger
My wife Liz & I were very sorry to hear of Al's passing. I worked with Al at the American Legion Boys State and enjoyed working along side him. He will be missed. Arnie Geiger, Past Post 50 Commander, Peachtree City
December 16, 2013
willie tate
We salute your veteran. Our condolences for your loss and gratitude for your loved one's service to our country.
December 15, 2013
Buddy Gallaher
To my Smith brothers, sister Virginia and friend Nancy;
You think you can prepare yourself when someone you loves passes away, but you never are prepared. Alver was like a brother to me for almost seventy years from our time together at the Telfair Women's Hospital nursery to the final time I spent with him in the hospital. He was really the brother that I never had; he would introduce me to his friends as his other brother and he was always a dear friend to me and my family. I will always take solace in the fact that he brought light and happiness into people's lives while he was here on earth just like his name sake, Thomas Alva Edison. He will be sadly missed...
December 14, 2013
Nancy, Jimmy & Janet, and all of Al's family...so sad to hear of Al's passing. I just found out tonight. My thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time. The Lord be with you and keep you.
Maria (Couch) Strickland
December 13, 2013
Delano Robbins
Nancy and Al's entire family, we are so very shocked and sorry to hear of his passing. We were not aware until the day after his service. We will keep you all in our prayers during this trying time.
Delano and Diane Robbins
December 13, 2013
My thoughts and prayers are with you all. May the Lord strengthen and comfort you.
Jo Ann Hiers Shuman
December 13, 2013
Bud & Jean Pierce
Jimmy, Janet & Family...we are deeply saddened to hear of Al's passing. Our heartfelt prayers go to you and his family. Wish we could have been there with you! Love and prayers...
December 12, 2013
Joe DeGracia
December 12, 2013
Bill Butts
To Nancy and all the Smith Family,
Al was a great person and always welcomed you were ever he was. He was always would make us laugh at Fire Station #7, we had some good times there. I will surely miss Al. God will be looking over you as Al will in heave as a Angel. God bless ya.
December 12, 2013
To Nancy and the Smith family..Losing a loved one is extremely hard, there are no words to express the grief you are feeling. Please know that you will be in my prayers. Al was a dear friend and a wonderful kind person, RIP Al.
December 12, 2013
To all the Smith family our thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Rufus and Nancy Riggins Taylor
December 12, 2013
Jim & Shirley CAINES
We will miss Al very much
So sorry for your loss
Our prayers are with you and your family
December 12, 2013
Lois Muse
I only met Al a few times at the Thunderbolt Museum, but his kindness touched me. I am deeply sorry for your loss.
December 12, 2013
Nancy, Jimmy, Janet and to the rest of Al's family, our deepest condolences go out to all of you. You all are in our thoughts and prayers at this very difficult time. Randy & Kathy Dutson
December 12, 2013
John Harris
To Al's Family I was deeply saddened with Al's passing. For the last few years he had been a great help to the thunderbolt Museum with the dinners we had. I had a great deal of respect for him and the things he had accomplished in his life. I have lost a friend.
December 11, 2013
Sandra Burnsed-Murray
Mike, I'm so very sorry for the loss of your brother. Just know Heaven has received another angel. Al was a kind soul, who always carried a smile on his face. God Bless all of you as God comforts you in his loving arms.
December 11, 2013
Bob Stark
To the family of Al -
Al was the first person I saw when I joined Post 184, and I still have his business card to this day. I was sorry to hear of his passing, I knew he enjoyed life. My most sincere feelings go to your family.
Bob Stark
American Legion Post 184
Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 671
December 11, 2013
Jennifer Rentiers
Jimmy, Janet, and family of Al,
Please accept my condolences on the loss of a wonderful man I had the opportunity to know. Keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers.
December 11, 2013
Denise White Loper
Al was larger than life. He was a good son, a loving father, a fantastic brother not only to his siblings but his siblings friends. He always had a kind word and a great hug for you. He never seemed to forget a face. He was the love of Nancy's life. He has left a huge hole in our lives but we are all the better for knowing him. Thank you Al, you have truly left a meaningful impression on mine. Prayers and love to Nancy, Jimmy, Janet, Carlos, Mike, Virginia, Maurice and family. Until we meet on the other side, I love you Al.
December 11, 2013
billy morris
al, i know the last time i saw you you had been sick but my buddy you are in a better place than here love you and will miss you your old buddy from wietnam days and post 184, you will always be in my heart, bye al, b illy morris
December 11, 2013
Justin March
Please accept our sincere condolences. Thank you for allowing us to serve you during this difficult time.
December 11, 2013
Deepest sympathy to the family of Wm. AL Smith from his fellow classmates of HV Jenkins, class of 1962. He will forever be missed, but remembered fondly. Patty Bridges Parker
December 11, 2013
JulieAnn Sturgess
Saying goodbye to a loved one you highly honor and respect is never easy...my heart breaks for sweet Smith cousins Jimmy, Carlos, Virginia, and Mike that have lost a dear Brother/Friend...to Nancy who has been faithful and loving throughout a lifetime to Al, to Al's Sons and Grandson, my prayers are with each of you....to the nieces and nephews that have lost their Uncle Bubba, my prayers are with you also...and to each of the extended family..the cousins....we are SSS strong raised in love and I am so thankful that we have many pictures&videos to cherish along with our most recent picture to hold onto from 11/12/13 Love my family very much...Julie Sturgess
December 11, 2013
GENE AND Nancy Hiers
Grief can be so hard during the holidays, but our special memories help us cope. Remembering you and your loved one this holiday season.
December 11, 2013
david denmark
Al was my captian for 12 years at #7 and he was a good firefighter.We looked out for each other because we both had bad backs.He was a good man.
December 11, 2013
Jimmy (Roach) sorry to here about Al he was a good man he will be remembered. Steve Denmark (Fred)
December 11, 2013
JOEL,KELLY MOORE
NANCY: WE ARE DEEPLY SADDENED BY THE LOSS OF AL,HE TRUELY WAS YOUR BEST FRIEND.WE WILL BE PRAYING FOR YOU.
December 11, 2013
Patty Padgett
I remember Carlos and Al from when we grew up together in Thunderbolt. Al and Nancy were very familiar faces at all our Thunderbolt reunions. We will surely miss that smiling face. He was so faithful in attendance. To Nancy and all the Smith family, my condolences. I will keep you in my prayers. You have years of good memories of Al to draw strength from in your time of sorrow. He will always be with you.
Patty Ellis Padgett
December 11, 2013
Kae Perez
Shane(&Carlos+Jimmy): My sincere condolences on the passing of your Dad. Sending big hugs your way.
December 11, 2013
terri feusner
December 11, 2013
Dan Frawley
It's been a while since I've seen Al and I'm very shocked and saddened to hear of his death. I'm sure he will be missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him...he was one of the good ones.
December 10, 2013
Dennis Fitzgerald
We have lost a great Legionnaire and Fire Fighter. His dedication to both will be sorely missed. He was always there to listen and advise, he will be missed.
December 10, 2013
donna sharpe
dear nancy I am deeply saddened by the loss of al. he was a true southern gentleman. I always will miss his hugs when I go to the legion. prayers out to you and family
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