Service held for Billy Ray Smith

Billy Ray Smith was born January 26, 1948 in Talihina, Oklahoma and was raised by grandparents Joe and Nora Smith with the help of his aunt Minnie and mother Lydia Smith. Billy passed away at his home in Carson, Oklahoma on June 23, 2021 at the age of 73.

Billy was raised the old way by his grandparents. He was baptized at Middle Creek #1 around the age of 10. Billy graduated from Holdenville High School and he joined the United States Army on July 13, 1966. He went to Ft. Polk, Louisiana for boot camp, and later trained at Ft. Bragg, North Carolina and then completed his advanced infantry training at Ft. Campbell, Kentucky. He was then sent to Stuttgart, Germany for a year and then he spent a year in Vietnam from 1968-69.

After returning home from Vietnam, Billy learned to weld and joined the Iron Workers Local 584. He worked as a field superintendent for Braden traveling the world and across the country building gas turbines until he retired in 2005.

Billy enjoyed team roping at Billy Don’s Arena with his horse, Bert. Billy raised cattle and took care of his ranch. Billy loved his son’s football games and powerlifting events and was able to pass on his trade as a welder to him. Billy also loved to hold family events at the homestead. Billy enjoyed going to breakfast with his friends, getting haircuts, and pestering anyone he could.

Billy is preceded in death by his grandparents, Nora and Joe; by his mother, Lydia; by his aunt, Minnie; and his brother, Joe Ray.

Billy is survived by his wife of 27 years, Sandra, of the home; by his son Tristan Smith and wife Mya, and his granddaughters Raylee Joe Smith and LinLee; by his daughter, Billie Hughes, and her children Jordan, Alessa, Izabelle, and Legynd by his daughter Sandra Smith and her children; and by his three sisters, Deborah Sayres, Wisey Givens, and Betty Delso. He is also survived by countless nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and many, many friends.

Funeral services for Billy Ray Smith were held on Monday, June 28, 2021 at 2:00pm at Carson Baptist Church in Carson, Oklahoma. Rev. Curt Bellinger officiated. Interment followed at the Smith Family Cemetery under the direction of Williamson-Spradlin Funeral Home of Wetumka and Weleetka.