Milledgeville, Georgia - William Henry Smith Jr. (known to everyone as Bill) passed away in Milledgeville, Georgia Aug. 15, 2024, after an extended illness. He was the beloved husband to Margreta Stoner Smith for 61 years, until her passing in 2020 and was the son of the late William Henry Smith Sr. and Gussie Buchanan Smith. Bill was born one month prematurely in Telfair County, Georgia on the cold winter day of Feb. 22, 1936.

As the eldest son of a sharecropping family, Bill was withdrawn from school in sixth grade to help his family when his father became incapacitated with crippling rheumatoid arthritis. Many of Bill's days were spent plowing behind a mule in the hot south Georgia sun as he shouldered the load of the farmwork for the family. He recounted stories of hunting and fishing for the family and having to conserve ammunition. Later, as an adult, he went back to school and obtained his high school diploma.

In January of 1956 he enlisted in the Army. He served as a private first class with the 8th Cavalry regiment and was a medical aide. While enlisted he received a good conduct medal and was a part of the shooting team. During his service he was stationed in Japan. He had fond memories of the people there and had the rare opportunity of skiing Mt. Fuji.

Bill came to Milledgeville to work at Central State Hospital after being honorably discharged from the Army. There, Bill was first employed as an attendant in the Jones Building and later in central supply in the Jones and Culver Kidd buildings. He met and fell in love with his wife, Margreta, at CSH. He married Margreta in 1958.

Bill was an avid fox hunter and "world class" July Foxhound breeder. He raised numerous champion July Fox Hounds and was well known and respected in the fox hunting community. Hunters from all over the country and the U.K. visited his home to look at or purchase hounds and were always offered the hospitality of a home cooked meal. Bill and his hounds are referenced in the books "A History of the Belle Meade Hunt" and "Never Outfoxed," as well as journals such as "The Red Ranger," "The Hunter's Horn," "Chronicle of the Horse" and "Belle Meade Hunt." He was an honorary member of the Belle Meade Hunt and was considered an "essential resource" and an "astute hound man." He served as a judge for numerous shows and other positions for the hunt throughout his life.

Bill was an excellent horseman, and this led to his training in Texas to become a farrier. He carried out this work shoeing horses in the evenings and on weekends, both locally and across the immediate southeast.

Bill is survived by his children, Marilyn Smith Wright and husband Dan of Eatonton, Georgia, and William H. Smith III; four grandchildren: Ivy Lyn Page (Stephen), Jesse Wright, Lauren Smith and Adam Smith; three great-grandchildren: Sayward Page, Patience Page and Ezra Wright; three great-great-grandchildren: Stephen A. Page, Margreta Page and Adalyn Taurus; sister-in-law, Harriett Stoner Simpson; and nephew, Chris Simpson (Laura).

The family will receive friends on Sunday, Aug. 18 at 1 p.m. with Funeral Services following at 2 p.m. in the chapel of Moores Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Baldwin Memorial Gardens Cemetery.

Visit www.mooresfuneralhome.com to express tributes.

Moores Funeral Home & Crematory has charge of arrangements.