William “Pastor Bill” Ralph Smith, 50, of Burgaw, passed peacefully from his earthly life after a five month battle with liver cancer on Saturday, September 5, 2020 at Lower Cape Fear LifeCare.

     He was born January 13, 1970 in Detroit, Michigan , the son of Donald Curtis and Wilma Jane Smith.  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Lisa Smith Forsythe. 

     Pastor Bill is survived by his wife of 18 years Betty Strain Smith; son, Isaiah Smith; brother, Donald Curtis Smith, Jr. and wife, Blanche of Hubert; sister, Pam Luna and husband, Mike of Jacksonville; and many nieces and nephews and their children.

Pastor Bill considered it his honor and privilege to serve The Lord as a minister within the Southern Baptist Convention of North Carolina and a pastor to all of those who needed him.   With pride and dedication, he began his ministry as a youth minister at Bear Creek Baptist Church, and went on to pastor at  Midville Baptist Church, Pleasant Grove Baptist Church and, most recently, at Burgaw Baptist Church.

     Early in life Pastor Bill learned the art of a craftsman in the construction industry.  His attention to detail was evident in everything he built for his family.   In his leisure time,   Pastor Bill enjoyed playing and watching basketball with Isaiah, watching Star Wars movies, and playing his electric guitars. He was devoted to his family and loved to study the Word of God.  Pastor Bill leaves a legacy of faithful commitment to his Call as a Minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and leading his family to know and serve the Lord with compassion, strength, and integrity.

   Funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, September 9, 2020 at Burgaw Baptist Church 100 E. Bridgers St, Burgaw, NC 28425 with the Rev. Timothy Cook and the Rev. Terry Golden officiating.   The family will receive friends one hour prior to funeral service. 

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, September 12 at Bear Creek Baptist Church, 116 Great Neck Landing Rd, Hubert, NC 28539 with the Rev. Terry Golden officiating. 

 The Family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the medical teams of Wilmington Health and Lower Cape Fear LifeCare.  Also the family would like to thank Burgaw Baptist Church and the Greater Burgaw community for all their support and kind gestures over the past 5 months.  In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Lower Cape Fear LifeCare or Burgaw Baptist Church Operation In As Much (OIAM).

     A service of Quinn-McGowen Funeral Home Burgaw Chapel.