Wilmington, N.C. — W. L. Smith, 87, passed away peacefully on Monday, November 17, 2014.

Smith was the owner of W.L. Smith Supply Co. Inc., based in Fayetteville, .N.C., and with six branches in North and South Carolina, from 1952 to 1984.

Smith was born in Stokes County, N.C., on January 9, 1927, son of the late Raymond Ausby Smith and Emma Grace McCollum Smith. He is also preceded in death by his son, Jerry Latham Smith, one sister and two brothers.

He married Margaret Lucille Tuttle on October 27, 1945. He joined and proudly served in the United States Marine Corps shortly after.

Smith was a member of numerous Fayetteville and Wilmington business, civic, church and service organizations including Methodist University, Peoples Bank and Trust, Fayetteville Independent Light Infantry, Creasy Proctor Masonic Lodge, Boy Scouts of America and the Shriners of Cumberland County.

Smith was an avid golfer, fisherman and hunter. He was a member and served on the boards of Wesley Heights United Methodist Church and Wrightsville United Methodist Church.

In his retirement years, he spent his time helping the community by mentoring others and volunteering with Wounded Warriors.

Smith is survived by his wife of 68 years, Margaret Tuttle Smith; daughters Janet Smith Cameron and husband Hugh Scott Cameron, and Judy Smith Gregg and husband David Edward Gregg; son Jeffery Lynn Smith and wife Jeannie Osborne Smith; and grandchildren Hugh Scott Cameron II, Amanda Cameron Barnes, Clifton Smith Cameron, Merry Hanna Gregg, Jordan Gregg McCorkle, Smith Lloyd Gregg, Meredith Grace Whitfield and Jason Latham Smith; sister Betty Smith Compton.

A memorial service was held at 3:00 p.m. on November 21 at Wrightsville United Methodist Church with Reverend Bob Bauman officiating. A gathering of family and friends will be held immediately following the service at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Lower Care Fear Hospice or Wrightsville United Methodist Church, 4 Live Oak Drive, Wrightsville Beach, NC 28480.