William Lee Smith

On Monday, October 3, 2022, William Lee Smith, loving husband and father of six children, went to be with his heavenly Father at the age of 82. William was born on July 1, 1940, in Houston, TX to Will T. and Margaret (Patterson) Smith. He was an international preacher and missionary for 64 years. On August 31, 1961, he married Bettye Lee (Castleberry) Smith. They raised five sons, James, Michael, Matthew, Joel, and Jude and one daughter, Margaret. William had a fire and passion for God above all else. He loved to preach and teach God’s Word and minister to all. His lifetime goal since being saved at the age of 17 was to bring others to Jesus. He demonstrated this through years of missionary work on three continents. He was a steadfast believer, encourager, and prayer warrior who loved God, church, and family.  His infectious laugh was legendary and his prayers at every family gathering always provided the calm before our loud and chaotic visiting. He loved eagles, poetry, photographs, theology books, and checking in every week with all of his loved ones near and far. William is preceded in death by his father, Will T., his mother, Margaret, his brother, Jack and wife Carol, his baby sister, Caroline Mae and his brothers-in-law, Herman Crawford, Frank Smith, and Roy Doak. He is survived by his wife Bettye and his six children, James and wife Kelly, Michael and wife Katherine, Margaret and husband Alan, Matthew, Joel, and Jude and wife Sara. He is also survived by his grandchildren Janette, James Jr. and wife Christina, JonEric, Diana and husband Manfred, Brandon, Nathan and wife Ashley, Kenneth, Aden, Jace, Payton and Lincoln as well as 13 great grandchildren. He is also survived by his sisters, Mary Pat Doak, Geneva Smith, and Emma Crawford and brothers, Sam and wife Lillian and Will T. and wife Liz as well as many other relatives, friends, and church family. Visitation will be held on Saturday, October 8^th, 2022, at 10 o’clock a.m. followed by the funeral service at 11 o’clock a.m. at Friendly Lane Baptist Church, 3136 Friendly Lane, Haltom City, TX 76117. In lieu of flowers or gifts, if able, please make a monetary donation to the Friendly Lane Baptist Church Missions Fund at https://www.flbctx.org/tithe-donations. The family will gather for interment at South Park Cemetery at 1310 North Main Street in Pearland, TX on Monday, October 10^th, 2022, at noon.