William Larry Smith

Services for William Larry Smith, 78, of Cottondale, Texas will be Saturday, November 2, 2019 at 1:30 pm at the First Baptist Church of Cottondale, officiated by Pastor Charles Pugh. Burial will follow in Cottondale Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday, November 1 from 6-8 pm at Hudson & Torres Family Funeral Home in Bridgeport.

He was born in Mount Pleasant, Texas on February 25, 1941 to Aris and Tina (Amerson) Smith.

Larry retired from Bell Helicopter in Hurst after 30 years, and was involved in the research and development of the Tilt Rotor Osprey.

He was a true athlete who excelled at multiple sports, particularly basketball and baseball, and even played college basketball. Throughout his life he was an avid Texas sports fan: Dallas Cowboys, Texas Rangers, and Dallas Mavericks. He also loved being outdoors fishing, hunting or playing golf.

He was excellent at working with his hands, in woodworking or more intricate woodcarving. If you had a problem, he was the fix-it man. All he needed was duct tape, baling wire, and a handful of screws. He could take on large-scale building projects, using his concrete, carpentry, electrical, plumbing, and welding skills.

Even though Larry could be hard as nails when necessary, he was a loving, caring husband, father and Papaw, and will be greatly missed by all those whose lives he touched.

He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Sherryn Smith of Paradise; sons DeWayne Rayford and wife Kari, residing in Livermore, California, Michael Rayford and fiancé Angela of Runaway Bay, Texas, and Scott Smith of Austin, Texas; daughter Deborah Greiner and husband John Paul of Paradise; nephew Barry Miller of Weatherford, Texas; grandchildren Austin Rayford, Zachary Greiner, Rachel Rayford, Abigal Greiner, Justin Wood and wife Melissa, Jacob Wood and wife Danna; and great-grandchildren Kyli and Kenzli Wood.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents, brother Johnny Smith, sister Daphine Lee, and granddaughter Kelci Muller.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First Baptist Church of Cottondale, 145 County Road 3355, Paradise, TX 76073.