Willard O'Ferrel Smith, age 82 of Chipley, passed away Monday, January 31, 2011 at his home. Mr. Smith was born January 20, 1929 in Hosford, Fla. to the late Willis Smith and Essie White Smith Taylor. He had been a resident of Chipley since 1988, coming from St. Mary's Georgia, where he had retired as a technical supervisor for Gilman Paper Co., after 27 years.
A U.S. Navy veteran, he was a member of Wausau Masonic Lodge # 39 and a member of the Grace Assembly Church in Chipley. In addition to his parents, he is predeceased by his Step-mother, Nettie Toole Smith, whom he loved very much. Survivors include; his wife of 57 years, Dorothy J. Smith of Chipley; two sons, Willis Martin Smith and wife Cindy of Kingsland, Ga. and Steven Ferrell Smith and wife Carol of Jacksonville, Fla.; one daughter, Connie Kowitz of Chipley; four brothers, Aubrey Smith and wife Frances of Lake Butler, Fla.,Wallace Smith of Tallahassee, Fla.,Charles Taylor of Bay County, Fla. and James Taylor and wife Dana of Chipley, Fla.; eight sisters, Deborah Smith Williams of Milton, Fla., Dale Smith Bagdonas and husband Ralph of California, Mary Smith Dorman of Chipley, Margaret Smith Hicks of Milton, Delora Smith Hadden of Chipley, Doris Taylor Hires of Panama City, Grace Taylor Anderson of Ovieda, Fla., Betty Taylor O'Brian and husband Paul of Panama City, Fla.; nine grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. The family will receive friends Thursday evening, February 3, 2011 from 6 to 8 P.M. at the Grace Assembly Church in Chipley. Funeral services will be held Friday, February 4, 2011 at 10:00 A.M. in the Grace Assembly Church with the Rev. Dallas Pettis and Rev. T.A. Green officiating. Interment will follow in Wausau Memorial Gardens with Brown Funeral Home of Chipley directing. The family suggests those wishing to do so, make contributions to Covenant Hospice, 4215 Kelson Ave. Suite E. Marianna, Fla. 32446.