William Franklin Smith, IV

William Franklin Smith, IV of Birmingham passed away at his residence on July 2, 2025. William was born April 27, 1951 to the late William Franklin Smith, III and Inez Mayhall Smith in Hueytown, as one of three sons. He is preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Steven Smith.

Survivors include his wife of 38 years, Linda Crawford Smith; his daughters, April Smith, Angie Smith, & Heather Thurs (Kevin); son, James Jones (Nancy); brother Mike Smith (Wanda); grandchildren, Jake Ezelle, Hannah Ezelle, John Ezelle, Cullen Thurs, Donovan Pilkington, Camron Jones, Karma Jones, Thorin Pilkington and a host of nieces, nephews, extended family and friends who will miss him greatly. Mr. Smith was known to his family as either, "Wiggy", "Billy" or "Fish Eye"

Immediately following his high school graduation from Hueytown High School in 1969, Mr. Smith started his career with US Steel where he worked for 15 years before deciding it was time to work for himself. For the next 30 years he owned and operated Lake Martin Painting and Decorating. He was known throughout Birmingham and Auburn for his exceptional attention to detail and his expert finishing touch. In his spare time, Bill had an insatiable passion for fishing. He loved to Bass fish more than anything and was a longtime member of the West Birmingham Bass Club. "Wiggy" had many friends and was always willing to lend a hand when needed. He will be remembered for assigning unique nicknames to all of his friends and playing practical jokes on the friends he valued the most.

Funeral services will be Tuesday, July 8, 2025 at 1:00 PM in the chapel of Patterson-Forest Grove Funeral Home. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 12:00 PM until service time. Interment will follow in Forest Grove Memorial Gardens. Immediately following the interment, a Celebration of Life potluck dinner will be held at Brooklane Community Center located at 2501 Brooklane Drive, Hueytown.

In Lieu of flowers the family request donations be made, in honor of Mr. Smith, to the following:

Alabama Wildlife Federation Youth Fishing Rodeo                                                                                                       https://www.alabamawildlife.org/memorials-honorarium/

Alabama Student Angler Bass Fishing Association                                                                                                                                                  Mailing address for check donations                                                                                                                                                                                  PO Box 969 Wetumpka, AL 36093

$25 donation link                                                                                                                           https://connect.intuit.com/portal/app/CommerceNetwork/view/scs-v1-f371ff985d164e099c0e250f72c9de0f391b05988ed54e79bd1d0b4cc1cc1098aa26d46475c04d4fbe931a9a8c57e804?locale=EN_US null

Patterson-Forest Grove Funeral Home & Crematory is honored to serve the Smith family during their time of bereavement. Condolences and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.pattersonfuneralhomes.com

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