Billy B. Smith

Billy B. Smith, age 86, of Pine Bluff, died Sunday, Jan. 1, 2017. Born March 3, 1930 at Carden Bottoms (Yell County), Ark., he was the son of the late H. O. Smith and Carrie Lee Foster Smith. He spent his early life in Lake Village and moved to Pine Bluff when he was 13 years old. Bill was a crop duster in the 1950's. In the 1960's, he and his wife operated the Grider Field Restaurant, and later opened the Catfish Kitchen Restaurant, which they owned for 19 years. He loved spending time with his family, hunting, baseball, and working with his hands. Having his grandchildren around him, watching them play sports, and animals gave him the most joy. Survivors include his wife, Elizabeth Joan Cunningham Smith, whom he married on May 29, 1949; his children, Cindy Fakouri (Duke), Willy Smith (Sherry), and Jimmy Smith (Tammy), all of Pine Bluff, Donny Smith of Floral, and Candy Hillis (Gary) of Monticello; grandchildren, Jason Fakouri, John Fakouri, Bill Smith, Chase Smith, Dustin Smith, Brandon Smith, Jarrod Smith, Brooke Johnson, Britten Stone, Billy Ryan Smith, Brook Cummings, Ashlee Wells, and Josh Hillis; great-grandchildren, Nicholas Fakouri, Lola Fakouri, Ruby Fakouri, Landen Smith, Zachary Smith, Mashaya Smith, Broddy Smith, Bentley Smith, Jack Johnson, Millie Johnson, Hayden Smith, Ethan Smith, Rylee Wells, and Kyler Wells; two sisters, Ellna "Sis" Morphis and Polly Reynolds; a sister-in-law, Mary Louise Flanneary; and his longtime caregiver, Lawonna Whaley. A visitation will be held Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2017 from 5-7 p.m. at Fuller Hale-South Funeral Chapel. Online condolences; FullerFunerals.com.