Billy Jack "B. J." Smith

January 26, 1937 - October 20, 2015

Billy Jack “B. J.” Smith, 78, passed away on Tuesday, October 20, 2015, at Hospice Ministries in Ridgeland, Mississippi. Visitation will be Thursday, October 22, 2015, from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. at Nowell-Massey Funeral Home in Louisville, Mississippi. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, October 23, 2015, in the Nowell Massey Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Rob Faulk officiating. Interment will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery. B. J. was born January 26, 1937, to Floyde and Mable Walsh Smith. He was the owner of B. J. Smith Construction Company for over 50 years and did pipeline distribution for gas, water and sewer. He contracted pipeline work from Mississippi Valley Gas and Atmos Energy during those years, as well as many other engineering firms, cities, and towns from the middle of Tennessee to the Gulf Coast. He was also a cattle farmer for over 60 years. B. J. loved his gardening and gave his fruits and vegetables to his family, friends, neighbors, and doctors. He was known for “giving you the shirt off of his back”, but don't try to take it without asking! He always enjoyed getting his large family together at Christmas, where he enjoyed cooking for them; especially his homemade biscuits. Mr. Smith is survived by five children: Mitch Smith and wife, Ann, of Tupelo, Mississippi; Hal Smith of Louisville; Penny Ascione and husband, Anthony, of Richland, Mississippi; Jeff Smith of Preston, Mississippi; and Toby Smith of Macon, Mississippi. One of his greatest joys was being “Poppa Jack” to his 12 grandchildren and his 16 great-grandchildren. He also leaves behind to mourn his passing several nieces, nephews, and his border collie, Shep. The family would like to express special thanks to Dorothy Partridge, his friend and caregiver; and to Hospice Ministries, Inc. and their staff in Ridgeland, Mississippi. He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Merle and Buford Smith; his sister, Ouida Joyce Johnson; two grandchildren, Melissa and Melinda Smith; and one great-grandchild, Jordan Smith. Serving as pallbearers will be Austin Catt, Tim Henry, Adam King, Jeremy Kirk, Jacob Smith and Rodney Smith. Honorary pallbearers will be his friends that he drank coffee with at Hardee’s each morning. Services are under the direction of Nowell-Massey Funeral Home, 724 North Columbus Avenue, Louisville, MS. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family by signing the guest register at www.nowellmasseyfuneralhome.com.