Funeral services for Winchester Smith, III, 90, of Williston, SC will be held at two o’clock p.m., Friday, June 3, 2022 at the Williston First Baptist Church with Dr. Stephen Burnette officiating. Burial will follow in the Williston Cemetery with military honors accorded. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday. Memorial contributions may be given to the Williston First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 366, Williston, SC 29853. Mr. Win passed away on Sunday, May, 29, 2022.
Born in Williston, SC, he was a son of the late Winchester Smith, Jr. and Helen Willis Smith and was married to the late Mary Lott Smith. He was a 1950 graduate of Williston-Elko High School and a 1955 graduate of the US Naval Academy in engineering. He served in the U. S. Navy from 1955 to 1963 working for the Naval Weather Services after studying meteorology in graduate school. After the Navy, he worked the family farm with his brothers until 1976. He worked for the Department of Defense as an Engineer from 1977 to 1980 and then for the Department of Energy until his retirement in 1995. Mr. Win grew up in Williston where he loved to play “catching”, similar to tag; he was the fastest runner in his class, he loved swimming in the Willis Mill Pond and spent many days working in the cotton fields. At 14 years old, he was baptized at the Williston First Baptist Church where he would later teach Sunday School for 25 years and serve as a deacon.
He was active in sports during high school. At the Naval Academy he played Battalion football for three years and was the Team Captain during his senior year. In the Navy he traveled the world while on a 14-month tour aboard the USS Essex. After the navy, he enjoyed traveling. He served as a Boy Scout master for 10 years. He was an avid Clemson Football supporter, he attended Clemson football games for over 50 years having attended his first game while in the seventh grade.
Survivors include his son and daughter-in-law Tim and Cathy Smith; former daughter-in-law Gloria Brown; grandchildren, Lauren Smith (Chad) Singer, Zachary (Alex) Smith, Daniel (Callie) Smith, Maggie Smith; great grandchildren Addison and Emma Singer; a sister-in-law Barbara Smith and a number of nieces and nephews.
In addition to his wife Mary, he was preceded in death by his son Winchester Smith, IV; his daughter Anne Smith; his granddaughter Kimberly Smith; brothers Norman Smith, II and Tom Smith, Sr.
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