William Paul Smith

William Paul Smith, 85, of Morganton died Thursday, February 5, 2015. He was born January 10, 1930 in Burke County, one of ten children, to the late John Thomas Smith and Alice Walker Smith. Paul was a lifetime member of Burkemont Baptist Church. He was a loving and devoted father and role model, successful business man, a farmer all his life, which he thoroughly enjoyed, and a man of many trades. Paul loved God and others.
In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by brothers, Rev. Ivy Smith, Frazier Smith, Perry Smith and Lewis Smith; and sisters, Velsie Walker and Essie Pruett.
Paul is survived by his children, William Carroll Smith and wife, Lauren, Paula Ann Smith and husband, Michael Schweitzer, and Corinne Smith Abele and husband, Wayne, Jr. all of Morganton; siblings, Dr. Fred Smith of Winston Salem, Leola Chapman of Raleigh, and Irene Howard of Matthews; grandchildren, Summer McCrary, Steven Smith, Destiny Abele, Daniel Abele, and Brooke Smith; and great-grandchild, Violet Smith.
A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, February 7, 2015 at Burkemont Baptist Church with the Rev. Eddy Bunton officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., prior to the service.
Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center is assisting the family with the arrangements.