Toft Funeral Home and Crematory
2001 Columbus Ave
Sandusky, OH 44870
Phone: 419-625-8816
Website: http://www.toftfh.com
View All Obituaries from Toft Funeral Home and Crematory
William Lawrence Smith, Jr., 85, of Oberlin, was summoned to Glory on Friday, November 18, 2016, in Welcome Nursing Home, Oberlin.
He was born the second child to William and Beatrice (Dobbs) Smith, in Elyria, OH, on November 7, 1931.
The family moved to Oberlin when Willie was five years old, he graduated from Oberlin High School in 1950, where he played football.
During high school he worked at the Campus Restaurant. He then worked at U.S. Steel, Tappan, and retired from Oberlin College in 1994.
As a youth Willie attended Mt. Zion Baptist Church, and was baptized at Christ Temple Apostolic Church. Brother Smith served his faith fully, serving on the usher board, traveling to various Ohio District Usher Board meetings, sang in the choir, took special pride in keeping the offering plates clean and shiny, and when he could no longer attend church the offering plates were delivered to him. He also was a helping hand to those who needed a ride to church .
Willie enjoyed boxing, ping pong, bowling, fishing, attending Browns games, car racing and music. He and his father and brother, Chuckie, played in a family band, with Willie playing the saxophone and drums.
After his retirement he would ride his bike to Kipton in the morning and Elyria in the evening. His loved spending time with his family.
He leaves to cherish his memory, daughter, Wanda (John) Kolb, William (Lecia) Smith, and Phillip Smith all of Oberlin; grandchildren, Dayna Smith, William Smith, Brittany Walton, Brian Walton, Jr., Ashleigh Smith, Phillip Smith, Jr., Gabrielle Smith, and Morgan Smith; great-grandchildren, Daija Smith, Josiah Gilmore, and Aylia Smith; nephews, Wesley Dobbs, Jr., Mann Smith, and Shannon Smith; niece, Kim Smith; and great nephew, Charles Blackwell.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Lottie Smith; parents; sister, Frances Buckman; and brothers, Chuckie, Bruce, and Charles Smith.
Friends may call on Saturday, November 26, 2016 from 10 A.M. until time of funeral services at 10:30 A.M. in Christ Temple Church, 370 Lincoln St., Oberlin. Suff. Bishop Laurence E. Nevels Sr. will officiate. Burial will be in Westwood Cemetery, Oberlin. Memorial contributions may be made to National Parkinson's Foundation, 200 SE 1st St. Miami, FL 33131.
Toft Funeral Home & Crematory, 2001 Columbus Ave., Sandusky, is handling the arrangements.
Condolences and gifts of sympathy may be made to the family by visiting www.toftfh.com.
