Birth date: Sep 10, 1937 Death date: Feb 11, 2022
Billy J. Smith, age 84, of Hermitage, Tennessee, passed away February 11, 2022. Billy was born September 10, 1937, in Centerville, Tennessee to the late James and Carlye Smith. Billy graduated from East Nashville High School in 19 Read Obituary
I spoke to Billy during the Christmas holidays and he gave no indication of being in bad health…he sounded “like himself”…strong and positive. We talked about getting together for a visit in the new year…we also had a long conversation about old times and how blessed we were to have had the wonderful friendship we had for so many years. We shared memories of how and when he met me and my girls…and how much he loved my girls. He spoke of the loss of our mutual friends and how sad that was for all of us…but he couldn’t dwell on it…instead he reminisced about the wonderful times we all had together.
I could write pages and pages of wonderful memories that I have of Billy, but I will keep those close to my heart for myself. I can say when I think of Billy, I think Love…he was Love…Love and Kindness.
As I read other condolences I agree…I wish I had known he was not doing well, I would have been there. And I certainly would have loved to have been in attendance to celebrate his life and to honor him at his funeral. As it is, I will take this time to say to everyone who knew him, we were blessed to have him in our lives.
To me he will always be remembered as a gentle, tender hearted man…a solid, grounded man of integrity…an honest man…a generous man…a happy man…a positive man…a delightful man…a man who certainly made a difference in my life, and I know in many others…a man that gave great hugs…a man that brought joy into every life he touched…a man that never spoke unkindly of anyone…a man that is irreplaceable.
Billy, there is no doubt in my mind, that you carried your worldly attributes with you and I’m sure God welcomed you home, arms wide open, saying, “well done, good and faithful servant.”
I love you, my precious friend…until we meet again…
Love, Toni and the girls
I am late with my condolences, I just found out about Billy's death, I was so shocked and saddened to find this out the way I did.
Billy and I go way back in the music industry, I produced concerts up to 2007 when I came down with Lung Cancer. Billy was my Booking Agent on everything I did! However, Billy and I stayed in touch all these years, called one another or saw one another every few months.
I tried calling him last week and on Monday, but it kept saying his number was not able to go through, I looked Billy and One Niters up on Google, only to find his obituary.
I am so sorry I learned of this so late, I would have wanted to be in Nashville to say my goodbye's!
God rest in peace Billy at the right Hand in God, I will miss you and our visits and talking about our past experiences.
John A. Smaldone
Yesteryears Music Palace
Sending my condolences to Molly, (Billy's granddaughter), and to his extended family and many friends.
I have many fond memories of working with Billy over the years, especially back when the Executive Inn in Owensboro was open. He was always a gentleman and you knew that he spoke the truth. He was a man of integrity. He was a man of common sense and loved to tell stories about his many experiences in the business. He was always willing to give you feedback on any questions you had about the music business. Though I had not seen Billy in several years, I was always delighted when we would bump into one another. I will be out of town on Feb. 26, but send my condolences to the family.
