William “Bill” Whitfield Smith ’50

William “Bill” Whitfield Smith ’50, of Goldsboro, N.C., died Jan. 17 at Kitty Askins Hospice Center. He was born in Raleigh, N.C., Oct. 11, 1928, and was the son of the late Alice McGee Smith and Roger Alexander Smith, Jr. He spent his childhood in Smithfield and Raleigh. Smith earned a bachelor of art degree in English from Davidson and graduated from UNC School of Law in 1953. He served in the U.S. Army from 1953 to 1955. Smith joined the Dees Law Firm in Goldsboro in 1955 and practiced law with the firm for 36 years. He was dedicated to his family and his profession and was active in community and church work. He enjoyed being involved in the lives of his children and, more recently, his grandchildren, with whom he shared his many interests, including a love of sailing. He favored projects and organizations that emphasize law and order and education and was a member and served on the board of many organizations, including Goldsboro Rotary Club, Downtown Goldsboro Development Corporation, Wayne County Library, Wayne County Chamber of Commerce, Wayne Community Concerts, Wayne Country Day School, United Way of Wayne County, WAGES, Wayne County Community College, Wayne Memorial Hospital, State Library of North Carolina, Salvation Army, and the Peace College Foundation. Smith was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Goldsboro and served the church as a deacon and member of various committees. Smith is survived by his wife of 53 years, Jane Parker Smith, 606 Brookwood Ln., Goldsboro, NC 27534-7518; his children, William Whitfield “Whit” Smith, Jr. (Alison), Alexander Parker “Sandy” Smith ’83 (Alicia), and Mariah Smith Malik; grandchildren, Jordan Smith Malik, Alexander “Alex” Parker Smith, Jr., Aurora “Rory” Jane Smith, and Elspeth Fiona Smith; and devoted family friend, Carrie Mae Faison. He was preceded in death by his sons, Fort Talbot Smith and Thomas “Tom” McAdams Smith. He loved his family, his friends, and the community he served.