Barbourville, Ky. – Billy Smith, 80, of Goodin Branch, (Bimble) Kentucky was born February 5, 1941, in Fount, Kentucky and departed this life on October 30, 2021. Billy was the son of Arthur Smith and Reathy Childres Smith. On December 26, 1962, Billy united in marriage to Edna Annetta Goodin and together they raised two sons, John and Jason. Billy worked in construction in Detroit, Michigan, before accepting a position at Walnut Hall Horse Farm in Lexington, where for 32 years, he was a horseman in charge of overseeing the yearlings. He retired in 1992. Billy, accepted Jesus Christ as his savior on December 20, 1998 and was baptized on January 3, 1999. He remained an active member of the New Bethel Baptist Church in Cranes Nest, throughout the remainder of his life.
In his spare time, Billy enjoyed hunting, fishing, going to yard sales, flea markets and car shows, and watching University of Kentucky football and basketball. He was devoted to caring for his home, for his family and for members of his church community.
In addition to his parents, Arthur Smith and Reathy Childres Smith, Billy was preceded in death by six brothers: Earl Dean Smith, Jr., John H. Smith, Harold Smith, Burchell Smith, Lewis Smith, and Melvin Smith; by one sister, Thelma Merida; by one brother-in-law, Curtis Merida; and by one granddaughter, Michelle Smith.
Billy is survived by his beloved wife of 58 years Edna (Annetta) Goodin Smith and by two sons, John Clarence Smith and Jason Billy Smith, all of Bimble, Kentucky. Two sisters also survive Billy: Artie Mae Smith Stacy (Reverend J.C. Stacy) of Louisville, and Alta Grubb of Big Rapids, Michigan. Two cherished grandchildren, Crystal Gail Smith Cobb of London, Kentucky, and Johnathon Witt of Smithville, Virginia, eleven great-grandchildren, and a very special niece, Melanie Shouse (David) of Lexington, Kentucky as well as a host of many other relatives and friends are also left behind to mourn his passing and will miss him dearly.
Visitation will be Tuesday, November 2, 2021 at Hopper Funeral Home from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM and on Wednesday, November 3, 2021 from 12:00 PM until the funeral hour of 1:00 PM. Brother Ken Merida and Brother Lonnie Collett will officiate. Musical Tributes will be performed by Danny Grubb. Burial will immediately follow the funeral service in the Goodin Cemetery at Goodin Branch (Bimble) Kentucky. The family has chosen as casket bearers: Kenny Ledford, Gary Patterson, Randy Patterson, Jason Smith and Johnathon Witt.
In lieu of flowers, the Smith family has asked that donations be made to the New Bethel Baptist Church, Cranes Nest, Kentucky in memory of Billy.
The Hopper Family, Victoria Hopper and Sally Hopper, our Directors Mrs. Bonita Bingham Creech and Mr. Robin Reese, and our staff express since condolences to the family of Billy Smith.
During the ongoing pandemic, we strongly encourage everyone attending services for Mr. Billy Smith to wear a face mask and maintain a social distance of six feet apart.
Hopper Funeral Home, Inc., established over 100 years ago, is in charge of servicing all arrangements for Billy Smith.
