Willie Hearn Smith Jr.

Willie Hearn Smith Jr., 78, of Gray, passed away August 27, 2026. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM, Wednesday, September 2, 2026, at Christ Church, 582 Walnut St. Macon, Georgia, with the Reverend Cynthia Knapp officiating. Burial will follow at Riverside Cemetery. The family will greet friends from 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm Tuesday, September 1, 2026, at Hart's Mortuary, Jones County Chapel, 307 Pecan Lane, Gray, Georgia.

Willie was born May 27, 1948, in Macon, Georgia to the late Willie Hearn Smith Sr., and the late Elizabeth Alexander Smith. He graduated from Lanier High School for boys in 1966, and Presbyterian College in 1970. Willie served his country, retiring from the US Army as a Lieutenant Colonel, with the Corp of Engineers. In addition to his military service, he served his community through many charities as a Mason, Serenity Lodge; Al Sihah Shrine; and the Royal Order of Jesters. Willie was a proud member of Nationwide Santas. His hobbies included woodworking, leather working, and repairing antiques. More than these things, he loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren, playing with them, and taking them fishing.

Willie is survived by his wife of 56 years, Gale R. Smith; children, Jason Smith (Lisa) of Johns Creek, Georgia, Katherine S. Rhodes (Jon) of Cody, Wyoming, and David Smith of Gray, Georgia; grandchildren, Ashton Fong (Corbett), Gavin Smith, Madeline Rhodes, Tristan Rhodes, Sidney Rhodes, Tanner Smith, and Lyahm Smith; his sister, Bitsy Howe of Crozet, Virginia; nieces, Jennifer Schnarre (Fred) of Scottville, Virginia, and Genie Holliday (Mark) of Poulsbo, Washington; his sister-in-law, Bonnie Hearn, Brian Smith of Gray, Georgia; Alex Smith (Kim) of Dunwoody, and Adam Smith of Oxford, Mississippi, and many friends.

In addition to his parents, Willie is preceded in death by his brother, Cathey Smith.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made to the Al Sihah Shrine Temple, 222 Meca Drive, Macon, Ga. 31206 or Shriner’s Children’s Hospital. https://donate.shrinerschildrens.org/

Please visit www.hartsmort.com to express your condolences to the family.

Hart's Mortuary, Jones County Chapel, has charge of the arrangements.