Billy Joe Smith

Billy Joe Smith, 74, of New Philadelphia, died Wednesday, Jul. 24, 2002, in Union Hospital, Dover.

Born Jul. 29, 1927, in Dundee, he was a son of the late Joseph N. and Pearl Schwartz Smith. Billy Joe graduated in 1945 from Dundee High School, and joined the U.S. Merchant Marines. He also served honorably with the U.S. Army in Japan. Billy Joe retired from the former Republic Steel Corp. as a general foreman for continuous casting after forty years of service at plants in both Massillon and Canton.

He was a member of St. George Greek Orthodox Church, Massillon, and was a life member of the New Philadelphia post of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Billy Joe loved fishing and hunting, but especially fishing. His favorite fishing places were the lakes of the Muskingum Conservancy, and also the Allegheny River. He shared this interest with his family, and it resulted in many happy memories for all of them. Billy Joe won the Jack Space Memorial Bass Tournament a record five times. Additionally, he was an excellent pancake-maker, who enjoyed demonstrating this ability for his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Survivors include his beloved wife of fifty-three years, Mary Space Smith; two sons, Christopher W. (Barbara) Smith of Grove City, PA, and Anthony J. (Nancy) Smith of Dover; five grandchildren, Melissa Stutz of Delaware, OH, Stephanie Sayre of Dover, Elizabeth D. Smith of Grove City, OH, and Katrina and Nathan Smith of Dover; four great-grandchildren, Jilaine, Ryan, Emily and Alec; a sister, Marjorie King of Akron; two brothers, Victor Smith of Dundee, and Denver Smith of Bedford Heights; several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister Caroline Mohr.

A funeral service will be held Saturday, Jul. 27, 2002, at 3 p.m., in the Toland-Herzig Funeral Home, Dover. Fr. Constantine Shiepis will officiate. Burial will be in Dover Burial Park. Visitation will be Friday, Jul. 26, 2002, 6-9 p.m., in the funeral home. Trisagion services will be held at 7:30 p.m., on Friday. To sign the online register and express condolences, please visit the online obituaries link at the funeral home�(TM)s website.

Instead of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. George Greek Orthodox Church Building Fund, 364 First Street S.E., P.O. Box 438, Massillon, OH 44648.

Toland-Herzig, 330-343-6132
www.tolandherzig.com