✦ ✦ ✦
Willy Gene Smith, Jr. was born February 9, 1956, in Monticello, Arkansas to the late Willy Gene Smith, Sr. and Martha Smith. He attended Mt. Pleasant AME Church (Campground) at an early age. He confessed his hope in Christ under the leadership of Rev. Jesse Washington. He married Barbara Kaye Spencer of Lacey, Arkansas on April 29, 1978. From their union, they had three lovely children: Romanda Jordan, and twins Carmen and Kasey (Robert) Smith. He retired in 2003 from the Arkansas State Highway Department after twenty-six years of service.
Willy graduated from Monticello High School. In high-school, Willy was known as “Gruffus” to high school friends. Later in adulthood, he was nick named “Steel Will” by close friends and family. Willy was an avid sports fan and loved football.
Willy loved his family dearly. He was a man of few words but loyal to those he loved.
Willy was preceded in death by his father Willy Gene Smith, Sr.; his mother Martha Smith; his oldest daughter, Romanda Jordan; his sister Brenda Phillips, and his niece Sofonda Phillips.
Willy leaves to cherish his wonderful wife of forty-three years Barbara Smith of Monticello; his son Carmen Smith of Monticello; his daughter Kasey (Robert) Smith of Monticello; his grandchildren, Javaris Jordan, Jaliah Jordan, Jamaurisson Smith, Jaylen Smith, and Jacabrian Smith, and one great-grand child Jaxton Jordan; his brothers Don(Camilla) Smith of Dumas, Arkansas and Willy Lee Smith of Mississippi; his aunts Charlie Mae Jackson of Wilmar, Arkansas, Dorthy Mae Martin (Hubert) of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Rosa Wright(Wardell) of Wilmar, Arkansas, Chrivvsteen Green of Monticello; his uncles Joe (Janie) Green and Tommy Green of Tulsa, Oklahoma; nieces Deone Ollison of Little Rock, Arkansas, Davina Spencer of Dallas, Texas,Nekitha "Nikki" Johnson and Gina Spencer of Monticello, Arkansas; and nephews Marlando Phillips of Little Rock, Arkansas, Patrick Smith of Monticello, Arkansas, and Aaron Smith of Monticello, Arkansas.
Willy also leaves a host of extended family and friends that he cherished as well.
Willy graduated from Monticello High School. In high-school, Willy was known as “Gruffus” to high school friends. Later in adulthood, he was nick named “Steel Will” by close friends and family. Willy was an avid sports fan and loved football.
Willy loved his family dearly. He was a man of few words but loyal to those he loved.
Willy was preceded in death by his father Willy Gene Smith, Sr.; his mother Martha Smith; his oldest daughter, Romanda Jordan; his sister Brenda Phillips, and his niece Sofonda Phillips.
Willy leaves to cherish his wonderful wife of forty-three years Barbara Smith of Monticello; his son Carmen Smith of Monticello; his daughter Kasey (Robert) Smith of Monticello; his grandchildren, Javaris Jordan, Jaliah Jordan, Jamaurisson Smith, Jaylen Smith, and Jacabrian Smith, and one great-grand child Jaxton Jordan; his brothers Don(Camilla) Smith of Dumas, Arkansas and Willy Lee Smith of Mississippi; his aunts Charlie Mae Jackson of Wilmar, Arkansas, Dorthy Mae Martin (Hubert) of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Rosa Wright(Wardell) of Wilmar, Arkansas, Chrivvsteen Green of Monticello; his uncles Joe (Janie) Green and Tommy Green of Tulsa, Oklahoma; nieces Deone Ollison of Little Rock, Arkansas, Davina Spencer of Dallas, Texas,Nekitha "Nikki" Johnson and Gina Spencer of Monticello, Arkansas; and nephews Marlando Phillips of Little Rock, Arkansas, Patrick Smith of Monticello, Arkansas, and Aaron Smith of Monticello, Arkansas.
Willy also leaves a host of extended family and friends that he cherished as well.