William O. Smith

W. O. Smith   Tupelo - William O'neal Smith, 82, passed away Friday, August 5, 2016, at North Mississippi Medical Center after a short illness. He was born in Prentiss County on September 21, 1933, to the late William Gordon and Bessie Lee Griffin Smith. He graduated from New Site High School in 1953. In 1954 he married Jeanette Hall. W. O. served his country in the United States Army in Mannheim, Germany from 1955-1956. He attended Northeast Mississippi Community College and graduated from Mississippi State University. After graduation he taught school at Holcut High School in Tishomingo County. He later went to work for Continental Bakeries, Wonder Bread, where he worked until retirement in 1988. W. O. owned and operated Hometown Deli in Mantachie for 8 years. He was an antique dealer and avid sports fan. W. O. loved spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was a member of Harrisburg Baptist Church and the Wilemon/Scott Sunday School Class.   He is survived by his wife, Jeanette Smith of Tupelo; children, Stuart Smith (Tabitha) of Sherman and Sonja Smith Moore of Tupelo; grandchildren, LeAnna Weathers Hill (Todd) of Olive Branch, Jake Smith (Emily) of Nashville, Tennessee, Brittiany Weathers Paden (Jaycob) of Pontotoc, Will Smith of Nashville, Tennessee and Van Moore (Fiancee, Stephanie Cunningham) of Tupelo; great-grandchildren, Caiden, Addison and Cash Smith and Finley and Mary Michael Hill; sister and brother-in-law, Carolyn and Donnie McCombs of Dennis.   Visitation will be from 4 until 7 p.m. Sunday, August 7, 2016, at W. E. Pegues, Tupelo.   Services will be 11 a.m. Monday, August 8, 2016, at the Jefferson Street Chapel of W. E. Pegues with Dr. Forest Sheffield and Rev. David Smith officiating. Burial will be in Tupelo Memorial Park.   Pallbearers will be Travis Beard, John Hallmark, Robert Patterson, Buddy Davis, Ben Burleson and James Wilemon.   Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Wilemon/Scott Sunday School Class and members of the New Site High School, class of 1953.   Expressions of sympathy may be left at www.peguesfuneralhome.com .