Willie Earl Smith

Willie Earl Smith of New Smyrna Beach, Florida, died peacefully on October 19, 2024 at the young age of 98, with his son by his side.  He was born in McComb, Mississippi on February 11, 1926.  He was the oldest child of Emmett George Smith and Florence Ella McCann Smith.

Spending his early years growing up on an airport, Willie would spend the days playing with his best friend and cousin Lamar Massey, while his little sister Helen Louise Smith tagged along.  They would often take turns being pulled in a wagon by their pet goat.   

Being that they grew up on an airport, Willie acquired a great deal of knowledge surrounding airplanes.  So much so, that he mischievously soloed an airplane at the age of nine!  Fortunately, he didn’t crash upon landing and lived to share that experience.  That experience did not damper his enthusiasm for aviation, as it lasted his entire life. 

Willie is a veteran of the United States Navy, having served between 1944-1946.  Due to a vision issue (color blindness) he was not able to participate in Naval flight training but was later able to earn his civilian pilot license.  In spite of not being in the Naval flight program, Willie remained in aviation in a different capacity, working as an airframe and powerplant mechanic while serving our country. 

Willie would continue to apply the experience and knowledge that he acquired to resolving issues throughout his life.  Mechanically inclined, he could accurately diagnose problems while coming up with solutions to those problems.  Being that he grew up during the Great Depression, Willie learned the value of modifying or “repurposing” a previously used part or fabricate a replacement part that he may have needed in order to resolve a problem.

It was in New Smyrna Beach, while attending a dance, where he met Beulah Wynnelle Poole who was to become the love of his life.  They married in 1955 by a “one legged” Justice of the Peace in Bay St. Louis, MS.  A true love story, they celebrated their 69th wedding anniversary earlier this year on August 22.

After arriving in New Smyrna Beach from Mississippi, Willie went to work for the City of New Smyrna Beach in the Utilities Department as a lineman.  He and his crew were the crew that initially decorated the New Smyrna water tank with Christmas decorations.  That tradition of decorating the water tank for Christmas continued until 1992.  Later, he enjoyed a 32-year career while working at Cape Canaveral for Pan American Airways.  As a high voltage electrician, Willie and his team provided maintenance and support for launch related activities during the “space race” and beyond during his over three-decade tenure.

Without question, Willie loved his family.  He coached Little League during the years that son Billy was growing up.  Billy would always anxiously await his dad’s arrival home from work in the afternoon in order to practice pitching before they were called inside for supper.  He was equally proud of daughter Debbie and was always supportive of her many activities that she was involved in.  But the apple of his eye was his granddaughter, Jordan.  He affectionately referred to her as his “heartbeat.”  So, you can imagine how he felt when Jordan and husband Nick had twin sons Mason and Jack.

His family affectionately referred to Willie as “Papa,” he always loved family get togethers.  He was excellent at barbeque or having a fish fry or crab boil.  He loved to fish and in earlier years shrimp.  He even made two cast nets to use for catching mullet. 

Willie enjoyed visiting extended family members in LA, MS, AL and GA.  Additionally, he enjoyed traveling with Wynnelle in their RV while attending gospel sings, camping or relaxing on the St. Johns River.

Willie was a Christian and loved to hear Wynnelle play gospel hymns on the piano.  Additionally, he loved the First Church of Nazarene, New Smyrna Beach, where he was a longtime member.  

In the perfect ending to what was truly a love story, Willie passed less than 48 hours after Wynnelle’s passing in order to be with his bride of 69 years. 

Willie was preceded by his parents, wife Beulah Wynnelle Poole Smith, sister Helen Louise Smith (New Orleans, LA), and brother Emmett George Smith Jr. (McComb, MS).  He is survived by daughter Debra McCrary of New Smyrna Beach, son William E. Smith of DeLand, granddaughter Jordan Smith Carnegis (Nicholas) and great grandsons, Jack and Mason Carnegis of Orlando.  Additional survivors include cousins, nieces and nephews scattered throughout the southeast.

A Celebration of Life will be held for Willie, along with the love of his life, wife Beulah Wynnelle Poole Smith in the Chapel at Settle-Wilder Funeral Home in New Smyrna Beach, FL, at 2:00 PM on November 9, 2024. 

Condolences to the family may be offered at Settle-Wilder Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests consideration for donations to NSB CAPS www.nsbcaps.com, New Smyrna Beach, FL or The Russell Home for Atypical Children https://russellhome.org in Orlando, FL.