Cover photo for William "Bernie" Smith's Obituary
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1935 William 2023

William "Bernie" Smith

October 30, 1935 — November 25, 2023

William “Bernie” Smith, 88, passed away in Orange Park, FL on November 25, 2023. He was born on October 30, 1935 to the late Florine Thomas Smith and Harold Lamar Smith in Redbud, Georgia. Bernie was preceded in death by his brother, Harold Lamar Smith. He is survived by his wife, Millie Smith; son, David (Samantha) and grandchildren, Dylan and Kaitlyn. Bernie graduated from Tifton High in 1953 in Tifton Georgia. After two terms at Georgia Tech, he received an appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy and graduated in 1958. He enrolled in the Navy Pilot Training Program and received his Navy Wings in 1958. He met the love of his life, Millie Enzor while at the Training Command. They were married in Pensacola, FL on December 20, 1959. While in the Navy, he traveled around the world, stops included: Brunswick, Me., Monterey, Ca., Annapolis. Ma., Naples, Italy, Patuxent River, Md., Newport, R.I., Washington, DC, Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico. Bernie retired from the Navy in 1978 and had resided in Orange Park, FL since. He worked as a Math Instructor at FSCJ for many years and as a Tax Preparer at H & R Block. The family will receive friends at 10:00am on Thursday, November 30, 2023 at First Baptist Church Orange Park and funeral services with military honors will begin at 11:00am. The burial will take place the following day, Friday, December 1, 2023 at 10:00am at Jacksonville National Cemetery. Pastor David Tarkington will be officiating both services. In lieu of flowers a memorial contribution can be made to The Wounded Warrior Project https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/
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Service Schedule

Past Services

Visitation

Thursday, November 30, 2023

10:00 - 11:00 am (Eastern time)

First Baptist Church of Orange Park

1140 Kingsley Avenue, Orange Park, FL 32073

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Funeral Service

Thursday, November 30, 2023

Starts at 11:00 am (Eastern time)

First Baptist Church of Orange Park

1140 Kingsley Avenue, Orange Park, FL 32073

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

Graveside

Friday, December 1, 2023

10:00 - 10:30 am (Eastern time)

Jacksonville National Cemetery

4083 Lannie Road, Jacksonville, FL 32218

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Guestbook

Visits: 30

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