William Douglas Smith of Eden passed away on Wednesday, June 23, 2021 at the Hospice House of Rockingham County. He was 93 years old.

Douglas was born on November 15, 1927 in Eden, NC, son of Dillard and Sadie Smith. He grew up in the Spray section of Eden. As a young man he served 2 years in the US Navy. He worked for Fieldcrest Mills for some years and worked as a maintenance worker at the Chinqua Penn Plantation until his retirement.

In 1950 he married Carol and together they had 3 children. Douglas was a loving and caring husband that cared for his wife during difficult illness with great love and understanding. Douglas was an avid outdoorsman, spending many years as a fur trapper, a skill he passed on to his sons. He knew every river and creek in Rockingham and Caswell counties. He loved nature. Whenever he spoke with anyone he would ask, "Have you seen any wildlife lately?" He was a hard worker, spending many hours "getting up wood" for the winter and gardening in the spring.

In 1963 he was baptized as one of Jehovah's Witnesses. Thereafter he faithfully devoted time each month to telling others about God's purpose of restoring the earth to a beautiful paradise, a hope he held dear.

Douglas will be remembered for his warm smile, love of all things nature and his firm faith in God's promise for the future.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Carol Smith and his sister, Doris Chapmon.

Douglas is survived by his daughter, Glynis Patrum and husband Andrew of Eden; his sons, Gary Smith of Savannah, GA and Ronnie Smith and wife Shelby of Eden; his brother, Darrell Smith and wife Linda of Eden; his sister, Louise Gusler and husband JD of Eden; his grandchildren, Carolee Vyhnanek, Tracy Tredway, Hannah Sexton, Ivy Smith, Carrie Smith and Julie Cox; his 11 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Boone & Cooke, Inc. Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the family of Mr. Douglas Smith