William Paul Smith passed away unexpectedly November 15, 2017 at his home in Portsmouth, Virginia. He was 86 years old, born on October 11, 1931 in Belvidere, North Carolina, to Nora Virginia Lamb and Elmer Fred Smith, the second youngest of five siblings, all of whom predeceased him. He grew up on a farm in Belvidere and attended Perquimans County High School, where he was a star athlete in football, baseball and basketball.

On June 5, 1949 he married Ethel Frances Elliott, the love of his life, who survives him (68 years). Together they have five children, Paula F. Sherlock (Ike), Phillip N. Smith (Barbara), William F. Smith (Pat), Paul Glenn Smith (Pat) and Susan A. Feaster (Walker, deceased). Paul is also survived by 10 grandchildren, Geoff Sherlock, Cameron Sherlock, Jennifer Smith, Phillip Smith, Ryan Smith, Kristen Froehlich, Michelle Brakke, Kathryn Smith, Nicole Feaster, Nicholas Feaster; 15 great-grandchildren; and his dog "Sunny."

Paul moved the family to Academy Park in Portsmouth in 1956 and was employed for 42 years at Norfolk Ship Building and Drydock Company, where he worked as a journeyman shipfitter. He progressed to shipyard superintendent and was a union member. After retiring from NORSHIPCO, he went to work at Kotarides Construction in 1997 as a maintenance supervisor. True to his hard-working ethic, at the age of 81 in 2012, he received the Employee of the Year award. He retired in 2013. He was always known as a hard worker and good guy. After moving to Cradock in 1965, he enjoyed the Moose Lodge get-togethers, NORSHIPCO Bingo dinners and later Kotarides parties. He attended Cradock Baptist Church and then Western Branch Baptist after moving to Churchland in 1997.

Paul enjoyed traveling with Frances to see his kids in Spain, Germany, Italy, France, Bermuda, Grand Turk, throughout the U.S., and cruises in the Caribbean. He especially enjoyed the trips to Normandy Beach in France in 1985 and the Panama Canal in 2009. He attended many sporting events through the years and was very proud of his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was especially proud that all five of his children graduated from college. They enjoyed many years entertaining family and friends at their home, especially at Christmas when he had the task of giving out Frances's many gifts to the family. He will be missed by many.

Family will receive friends from 5 PM to 7 PM, Tuesday, November 21 at the Baker-Foster Funeral Home, 5685 Lee Farm Lane, Suffolk, Virginia. The funeral service will be held at 11:00 am. Wednesday, November 22, in the funeral home chapel. There will then be a graveside gathering Wednesday at 3 PM at Cedarwood Cemetery in Hertford, North Carolina. Condolences may be registered at BWFosterFuneralHome.com.