William W. Smith, Sr.

William Wade Smith, Sr., passed away on Saturday, March 14, 2026. Wade was born on October 28, 1942, in Nashville, Tennessee to William Loggins and Mary Virginia (Farmer) Smith from Ashland City, TN. Wade’s first memory of his father was his wanting to dance with his mother upon returning from “flying the hump” at the end of WW2, of which toddler Wade attempted to defend with a kick to the shin.

Wade graduated from Donelson High School in 1960, where he played varsity basketball and graduated from Tennessee Polytechnic Institute (now Tenn Tech Univ) in 1964, where he was a member of the ROTC. Upon graduation, Wade entered the U.S. Army and was stationed at Ft. Bragg as Second Lieutenant and subsequently promoted to First Lieutenant.

Wade was self-employed for many years as a C.P.A., before joining the State of Tennessee as a Special Investigator. Wade spent the final years of his career as a Magistrate for Summer County, where he greatly enjoyed working with the County’s law enforcement personnel. Wade was a member of First Baptist Church, Hendersonville and a part of Bailey/West Connect Group, before moving to a memory care facility in Madison, AL.

Wade was a loving son, brother, husband, dad, grandfather, and great-grandfather.

Wade is preceded in death by his parents William and Mary Smith. He is survived by his loving wife of 62 years Brenda Larue (Cobb) Smith, his sons Dr. Wade (Lynda) Smith, Jr., and Steve (Mickie) Smith; daughter Bethany (Scott) Nolter; grandchildren Chelsea (Dr. Jonathan) Swanson, Brooke (James) Graham, Anna Claire (Jared) Fry, Spencer (Chandler) Smith, Chandler (Kenedey) Smith and Sydnie Smith; great-grandchildren Colson Graham, Barrett Graham, Remi Graham, Murphy Smith, Marley Smith, Walker Smith, and Waverly Smith; sisters Marcia (Larry) Stinson, and Dawn (Doug) Brachey. In addition, he is survived by numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

Pallbearers are: sons Dr. Wade and Steve Smith, grandsons Spencer and Chandler Smith, nephews Jeff and Scott Stinson, Todd Brachey and cousin Greg Horton.

A visitation will be held on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, from 11am-2pm at Hendersonville Funeral Home. The funeral service will be officiated by Bruce Raley, beginning at 2pm followed by burial with military honors at Hendersonville Memory Gardens.

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