William Shelton Smith, Jr.

William Shelton Smith, Jr., 78, affectionately known as, “Cookie,” by his friends and family passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 3, 2024 at home.

A native and lifelong resident of Wayne County, Cookie was born on July 20, 1946 to the late William Shelton Smith, Sr. and Eula Mae Thornton Smith.  After High School, Cookie proudly served his country in the United States Navy during the Vietnam Conflict in the Gulf of Tonkin aboard two ships, the USS Canisteo and the USS Diamond Head.  Upon returning home to Jesup, Cookie began a career at Rayonier in 1972, working for thirty-six years, retiring in 2008 as Lead Operator in the Machine Room.  He was a loyal member of the USW Local 787 and also a long time member of the Crossroads Church of God.  Cookie enjoyed fishing, collecting antiques, playing cards and scratch offs in his spare time. In addition to his parents, his wife, Imogene Robertson Smith, his granddaughter, Taylor Brooke Smith and two daughters-in-law, Deborah Winn Smith and Angie Landon Smith, all preceded him in death.

Survivors include three children, Shelton Smith and wife, Kathy, Chris Smith and fiancé, Courtney and Jennifer Beasley and husband, Steve all of Jesup; one sister, Phyllis Ward and husband, John of Jesup; five grandchildren, Zachary Smith, Zoe Smith, Mallory Dixon and husband, Josh, Stephene Harrell and husband, Luke and Allison Counts and four great grandchildren, Zander Williams and Braydon, Paris and Jameson Counts.  A host of nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family members also survive.

Services will be held privately at Howard & Jones Funeral Home with Rayonier Retirees serving as honorary pallbearers.

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