Harry Willard "Billy" Smith, 92, of Brooksville, Fla., passed away Wednesday July 23, 2008 at Oak Hill Hospital. He was born in Akron, Ohio, but lived most of his life in Fayetteville, Tenn., and various towns in Florida. He was the son of the late Harry N. Smith and Mamie Flynt Smith of Fayetteville. He was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Ailene Monks Smith; and his sisters, Frances Pack and Dorothy Bigham. He was a member of the Church of Christ.

He was a Master Mason with Andrew Jackson Lodge No. 68 in Fayetteville for over 50 years. He was involved in other organizations, including the Columbia Commandery No. 35, Knights Templar, Columbia, Tenn.; Civilian Conservation Corps Alumni Assocociation; Lincoln County Tennessee Genealogical Society; Woodman of the World; and the Florida Sheriff's Association.

He enjoyed an outstanding 35-year career in personnel that started with the Corps of Engineers in Memphis, and continued with the infancy of the space program at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, through the man on the moon mission with NASA at Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla. Receiving numerous honors during his career, he retired as chief of recruitment and placement with NASA in 1970. He and Ailene enjoyed their retirement years traveling in their airstream trailer.

Survivors include his daughter and son-in-law, Rebecca and Coleman Smith of Brooksville, Fla.; granddaughter, Connie S. Wooley and her husband Dean of Melbourne, Fla.; grandson, Cary H. Smith and his wife Michelin of Rockledge, Fla.; two great-grandchildren, Jennifer and Alison Wooley; sister, Alice M. Smith of Fayetteville, Tenn.; two brothers, Richard E. Smith of Fayetteville and Gene T. Smith and his wife Ann of Harvest; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday with visitation from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at Higgins Funeral Home, 213 E. Market, Fayetteville. Interment will follow at Riverview Memorial Gardens.