03/17/2023
Billy Gene Smith was born September 10, 1934 in Agra, Oklahoma to parents Harold and Pearl Smith and went home to be with Jesus on March 6, 2023, at the age of 88, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 54 years, Louise Smith; his parents Pearl and Harold Smith; and his brother, Glen Smith, Sr. Bill is survived by his daughter, Sherry Bezerra and husband Danny; daughter, Marcy Twyman and husband Mark; six brothers: Jack Smith (Barbara), Dale Smith (Roberta), Chuck Smith (Carol), Floyd Smith, Barney Smith (Christie), and Melvin Smith (Linda); 5 grandchildren: Candy O’Hara (Michael), Amanda Brannum, D.J. Bezerra (Christy), Tess Milligan (Eric), and Heath Twyman; and 9 great grandchildren.
Bill was born and lived in Oklahoma near the Chandler area until he was about 17 years old. In search of greener pastures, the family of 8 boys loaded up in a station wagon and moved to California in 1951. The family settled in Visalia, California. Bill graduated from Mt. Whitney High School in Visalia in 1956 and attended Pasadena College. While at Pasadena, he accepted a call into the ministry and started studying to become a minister. But along the way, he met and married the love of his life, Bessie Louise Redington. The young couple put the call to ministry on hold and moved back to the Visalia area where Bill worked at the International Paper Company in Exeter while raising his family of two girls. At the age of 36, he remembered the call given by God to him in college. He acted on that call by accepting a pastorate in Pierre, SD in 1971. He also pastored churches in Lisbon, ND, Texhoma, OK, and Boise City, OK. He finished his home course of study for ministry in 1973 and was ordained in the Church of the Nazarene in 1974. He also worked for the State of Oklahoma in the Transportation Department for about 15 years while still continuing to pastor part-time at various churches including Dalhart, TX, and Campo, CO.
Bill loved to garden and keep his yard in tip-top shape. He would often win Yard of the Month at their Boise City, Oklahoma home. He especially loved to grow roses and had several around his yard and even won grand champion at the county fair one year. Traveling to see friends and family was another thing Bill loved to do. Bill would often take vacations just to see extended family in Oklahoma and Indiana. He also loved to watch baseball and collect toy cars and coins.
But his greatest loves were Jesus Christ and his family. He was never shy about sharing his testimony with anyone who would listen. And he always made sure his children and grandchildren learned of the love of God at an early age. He continued to pray and serve His God until he took his last breath.
Friends and family are invited to attend a celebration of life memorial service being held at Trinity Church of the Nazarene in Oklahoma City at 7301 S Walker Ave. on March 19th, 2023, at 3:00 p.m. The service will also be live-streamed and can be viewed at
