Billy N. Smith of Clayton, age 92, passed away on Saturday, December 10, 2022. He was born on April 6, 1930 in Thomasville, North Carolina to the late Percy G. and Mary Lou (Coughenour) Smith. Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister Betty Smith Alexander. Billy is survived by his loving wife Kathleen Rae (Wenger) Smith; children Tim (Lisa) Smith of West Milton, Karen Smith of Troy, David (Anita) Pollard of Tipp City, Steve (Julie) Pollard of Springboro, and Kristi (Darrin) McFadden of London, Ohio; 15 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren.

Billy achieved his Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering from North Carolina State University and went on to work as an engineer for B.F. Goodrich Aircraft Wheel and Brake Plant in Troy. He started Precision Products to start producing his invention of the aircraft fusible plug and then retired from Precision Aero in Troy in 2014. He was a private pilot (instrument rated), racing enthusiast, loved to travel internationally, and was a master “tinkerer”. He served his country proudly in the United States Air Force as a jeep mechanic during the Korean War.

The family will receive friends from 10 AM to 12 PM on Friday, December 16, 2022 at Hale-Sarver Family Funeral Home, 284 N. Miami St, West Milton, with a funeral service following at 12 PM. Burial will follow at Bethel Cemetery Englewood. Memorial contributions may be made to Ohio’s Hospice of Miami County, 3232 N. Co. Rd. 25A, Troy, OH 45373. Messages of sympathy may be left for the family online at www.hale-sarver.com.