Dr. William Dameron "Billy" Smith

Dr. William Dameron Smith, "Billy", born June 17, 1928, in Atlanta, Georgia, passed away on the morning of January 12, 2011 in his Decatur home, with his family by his side. He was the son of the late DeWitt Dameron Smith of Atlanta and Hilda Mae Bray of Stephens, Georgia. Billy "Doc" grew up in Decatur and attended Clairemont Elementary School the first year it was open. He was a graduate of Georgia Military Academy Class of 1946 and University of Georgia, 1950 with a BS in Economics. While attending UGA he was on the University Golf Team and a member of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. Billy served 2 years in the 3rd US Army as a Forward Observer in Korea. It was serving in Korea that brought him the award of two Purple Hearts and a Bronze Star. His church membership was with The First Baptist Church of Decatur, where services will be held on Wednesday, January 19th at 11:00 am. He was also an active member of the VFW and Grand Jurors Association. After his time served in the Army he decided to pursue his further education in the area of psychiatry. He completed an internship with Dr. Karl Menninger in Kansas in 1970. It was then he continued his career in Denver Colorado. He became a staff member of Denver General Hospital and founded the Clinical Hospital Alternative Program (CHAP). This great accomplishment was funded in part by Norman Vincent Peale and influenced positive change in the psychiatric medical community. "Doc" was able to retire in 1990 and returned to Atlanta, Georgia to be the primary care provider for his parents. The next few years were spent with family, friends and golfing. Dr. Smith is survived by his wife Peggy Gladding Smith, Decatur, Georgia. His children by an earlier marriage, daughters, Delpha Estelle Smith Phillips and Christina Smith Gentry of Nashville, TN, and son, William D. Smith Jr. of Kentucky, 4 grandchildren and 2 great grandsons. He is also survived by special family, Angela Vines, Caleb Vines and Randy Parris of Duluth, Georgia and long time friend Trish Arbele, Interment will follow service at Decatur City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, Billy's request was that donations be made in his memory to the First Baptist Church of Decatur to the Debt Retirement Fund. A. S. Turner & Sons.

Funeral Home:
AS Turner & Sons
2773 North Decatur Road
Decatur, GA
30033