William R. "Reeder" Smith, age 82, of Columbus, MS died Wednesday, September 9, 2009 at Trinity Personal Care Center. Funeral services will be Sunday, September 13, 2009 at 3:00 PM at Gunter & Peel Chapel with Elder Bob Ward officiating and Elder Jessie Phillips assisting. The interment will immediately follow at Memorial Gardens of Columbus. Visitation will be Saturday, September 12, 2009 from 4:00-6:00 PM at Gunter & Peel Funeral Home. Mr. Smith was born July 8, 1927 in Lafayette County, MS to the late Escar and Rosalie Reeder Smith. He was a graduate of Yocona High School and was a veteran of WWII serving with the Seabees in the United States Navy. Mr. Smith retired from Bellsouth after 40 years and was a member of the Telephone Pioneers of America. He enjoyed gardening and working with wood from his Smitty's Wood Shop where he made Chippendale Garden Furniture. He also enjoyed volunteering with the Rides Special Equestrian Organization. Mr. Smith was a member of the Hamilton Primitive Baptist Church and was preceded in death by his wife Martha J. Smith, and granddaughter, Lindsay Bates. Survivors include his son, Reed Smith (Patricia) of Milton, FL, daughters, Beverly Bates (Jim) of Hoover, AL and Janet Gapen (Keith) of Salisbury, NC, brothers, Ray Smith of Blythewood, SC, Robert Smith of Oxford, MS, and Henry Smith of Oxford, MS, sister, Juanice Moorehead of Bruce, MS, grandchildren, Nicole Barnes (Brian) of Dallas, GA, Derek Gapen of Salisbury, NC, and Holly Moore (Nathan) of Okinawa, Japan, and great grandchildren Gavin Yager, Cameron Yager, Lily Barnes, and Bella Moore. Pallbearers will be Reed Smith, Keith Gapen, Jim Bates, Steve Ward, John Black, Bob Smith, Clay Black, Talmadge Pennington, and Wayne Jones. Memorials may be made to the Hamilton Primitive Baptist Church of Hamilton, MS.
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