Surrounded by his family, Willard Wayne Smith, Sr., 80, of Auburn, went to be with his Lord after a long struggle with cancer on the afternoon of Thursday, April 20, 2017 at the Bethany House in Auburn, Alabama.

Willard was born on March 8, 1937 in Montgomery to his late parents Andrew L. Smith & Emma (Luker) Smith. After graduating from Sidney Lanier High School in Montgomery, he went on to study at The University of Alabama to graduate with his Bachelors of Science in Commerce & Business Administration in August of 1960. Willard then returned home to Montgomery to pursue a lifelong career as an Insurance Adjustor from which he would later retire.

Willard is preceded in death by his first wife, Judith (Pollard) Smith, son Jeffrey Alan Smith (Kelly) & brothers, Judson, Andrew & David. His surviving children include daughter, Kim S. Chapman, son Dusty (Karen) Smith, Kevin Carpenter & Karen (Tim) Snyder. He is survived by his sisters, Emma Smith, Carolyn Frantz & loving wife Sue Carpenter Smith, along with her siblings, Alice (Rodney) & Jim (Sandy). He is survived by a multitude of grandchildren who he loved very much, including Meagan, Ashley, Zack (fiancée Monica), Courtney, Sydney (Greg) Howard, Lauriston, Olivia, Harden, Sam & Sophie. Willard is also survived by numerous nieces & nephews.

Join us in celebrating all the years that Willard shared his love of life with us. Visitation will begin at 10:00 AM on Sunday, April 23 at the Southern Memorial Funeral Home at 3154 Highland Avenue, Montgomery, AL 36107. The funeral service, officiated by John Ed Mathison, will follow at 11:00 AM in the chapel.

At Willard's request, he respectfully asked that in lieu of flowers, donations should be made to the Bethany House in Auburn, Children's Hospital of Birmingham or the charity of your choosing.

Published in the Montgomery Advertiser on Apr. 23, 2017.