William "Bill" E. Smith Jr.

William Elza Smith, Jr., longtime resident and business owner in Eufaula, Oklahoma, passed away peacefully October 3, 2026. A miracle who proved the doctors wrong, William Smith Jr. was born to his Mother and Father, Dorothea Mae (Umbach) and William Elza Smith, Sr. in Oklahoma City, June 10. Bill grew up in Oklahoma City near his loving grandparents. Bill and his folks moved to Washington, DC where Bill had some fun teenage years. Bill became skilled in photography and worked in the DC with US Dept. of Navy and NASA on camera systems and photography for satellites and the Teledyne Company. Later Bill applied his skills at Motion Picture Labs in Memphis, Tennessee. Bill’s parents moved to Eufaula, OK around the time of the Lake development and later Bill moved to Eufaula and formed a family partnership, Smith, Smith, & Smith, and developed GreenFields subdivision. Bill was a proud Eufaula Community member and joined many organizations including: Lions, Chamber of Commerce, Eufaula Area Arts Council, Main Street Association, Green Country Tourism. He was a founding member of Whole Hawg Day committee and celebrated every year. Bill’s parents were very musical Christian people and William Sr. was choir director at First United Methodist Church for many years. Bill’s dedication to his faith and music was evident by his involvement: teaching Sunday School, playing bass, piano, and singing in the church choirs. Bill loved Christmas and collected nativity scenes from around the world. William E. Smith Jr.’s legacy of love for God, family, community & music is an inspiration and he will be missed and fondly remembered.