William Smith, Jr.

Canton – William Otis “Bud” Smith, 78, passed away on Sunday, December 19, 2021 at his residence.

Bud was a native and lifelong resident of Haywood County and a son of the late William Otis, Sr. and Ruth Burress Smith.  He was a United States Navy veteran having served from 1960 – 1964.  Bud retired from Champion International, Blue Ridge, and Evergreen Paper Companies with a combined total of 43 years.  He was also a member of Mt. Zion Baptist Church and loved hunting, fishing, ginseng digging, and hunting arrowheads.

He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Karen Wells Smith; one daughter, Lacey Ballew (Chad) of Kernersville; two sons, William Scott Smith of Waynesville; and Chase Smith of Candler; three sisters, Darla Mathis and Marietta Edwards both of Canton, and Sharon Mullis of Clyde; and four grandchildren, Dillon and Kassi O’Neil and Danielle and Henry Smith.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 22, 2021 at Mt. Zion Baptist Church with the Reverend Eddie Deitz, Reverend Jimmy Burress, and Reverend Dr. Jack Holland officiating.  The family will receive friends from 12:30 until 1:45 p.m. prior to the service at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Lottie Moon Offering c/o Mt. Zion Baptist Church, 261 Dix Creek Road, Canton, NC  28716.

The care of Mr. Smith has been entrusted to Wells Funeral Homes of Canton and an online memorial register is available at “Obituaries” at www.wellsfuneralhome.com