BMA Pastor Dies

Billy G. Smith, 86 of El Dorado, passed away Dec. 27. He was saved and baptized at an early age and answered God’s call to preach the gospel. He preached the Word faithfully for 62 years and had been the pastor of Murmil Heights Baptist Church for the past 41 years. He also pastored Hopewell Baptist Church and Pleasant Grove Baptist Church.

Bro. Smith loved people, touched many lives and led hundreds of people to accept Christ as their Savior. He was a “jack of all trades” and was known for helping people with their problems. He also spent countless hours building church buildings.

Survivors include: three sons, Billy Joe, Jim (Angela) and Terry (Pam); a sister, Barbara (Richard) Strahan; a brother, Ricky (Elaine) Smith; 16 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

A memorial service was held Jan. 6 at Murmil Heights Baptist Church, and interment was at Beech Grove Cemetery under the direction of Perry’s Funeral Chapel (perrysfuneralchapels.com). In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Murmil Baptist Church building fund (203 Beacon Hill Dr., El Dorado, Ark. 71730).