FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.— W. L. Smith, 87, of Wilmington, N.C, passed away November 17. He was born in Stokes County, N.C., on January 9, 1927, son of the late Raymond Ausby Smith and Emma Grace McCollum Smith.

He is preceded in death by his son, Jerry Latham Smith; one sister and two brothers. W.L. married Margaret Lucille Tuttle on October 27, 1945. He joined and proudly served in the United States Marine Corp shortly after. He was owner of W.L. Smith Supply Co.,Inc. of Fayetteville, N.C., with six branches in North and South Carolina from 1952 to 1984. Smith was a member of numerous Fayetteville and Wilmington business, civic, church and service organizations including Methodist University, Peoples Bank and Trust(Fayetteville,N.C.), Fayetteville Independent Light Infantry, Creasy Proctor Masonic Lodge(Fayetteville, N?C.), Boy Scouts of America and The Shriners of Cumberland County.

Smith was an avid golfer, fisherman and hunter. He was a member and served on the boards of Wesley Heights United Methodist Church and Wrightsville United Methodist Church. In his retirement years, he spent his time helping the community by mentoring others and volunteering with Wounded Warriors.

He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Margaret Tuttle Smith; daughters, Janet Smith Cameron and husband Hugh Scott Cameron of Fayetteville, NC, Judy Smith Gregg and husband David Edward Gregg of Raleigh, NC; son, Jeffery Lynn Smith and wife Jeannie Osborne Smith of Wrightsville Beach, NC; grandchildren: Hugh Scott Cameron II, Amanda Cameron Barnes, Clifton Smith Cameron, Merry Hanna Gregg, Jordan Gregg McCorkle, Smith Lloyd Gregg, Meredith Grace Whitfield and Jason Latham Smith; sister, Betty Smith Compton.

Memorial donations may be made to Lower Care Fear Hospice or Wrightsville United Methodist Church, 4 Live Oak Drive, Wrightsville Beach, N.C.,28480.

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