William "Bob" Robert Smith

William "Bob" Robert Smith, 62, of Metter died Monday, October 13, 2014 at his home. He was a lifelong resident of Candler County and the son of Benjamin and Bonita Aldrich Smith, his beloved parents who were his greatest love, had preceded him in death. Drafted in 1974, he spent two years in the U.S. Army. NASCAR racing was his hobby, collecting the model race cars but mostly he loved the race car drivers, Fireball Roberts and Dale Earnhardt. He assisted Metter Ford Company in driving vehicles back to Metter for them "with never a scratch on them."

In her eulogy Marsha Colson said this about Bob, "Bob's mind was a complex, mysterious place few of us understood. He worried about political affairs, religion and money. He thought so much and so deeply that it seemed he couldn't rest. He approached his money with the same persistence... investing it, managing it, and watching it grow. While his physical heart may have failed him after a bypass surgery in 2002, his emotional and spiritual heart purred like a kitten just like the ones he cared for on his back porch. He told his friends he had replaced his NASCAR heroes with a new hero, GOD!"

He is survived by his uncle and aunt, Gene and Octavia Smith and his uncle, Freddie Aldrich all of Metter; an aunt, Evelyn Aldrich Miles of Augusta and many cousins.

Funeral services were held Thursday, 11:00 am, at Kennedy Funeral Homes, Hooks Chapel, with Rev. Royce Mosley officiating. Burial was in the Lake Cemetery. Visitation was Wednesday evening, 5:30-8:00 pm, at the funeral home. Pallbearers were Brett Franklin, Slayde Holloway, Jim Muns, Tim Redding, Raymond Smith and Wayne Smith. Guest book: www.kennedyfuneralhomechapels.com.

Kennedy Funeral Homes, Hooks Chapel, of Metter was in charge of arrangements.