Dr. Smiley William "Bill" Weatherford, Jr., 82, of Georgia, passed away on Saturday, May 30, 2026, at the W.G. Bill Hefner VA Medical Center in Salisbury, NC.

Smiley was born April 20, 1944, in Albany, Georgia to the late Smiley William Weatherford, Sr. and the late Harriet Winn Weatherford.

He was also preceded in death by beloved grandmother, Bessie Lane Winn and his cousin who was like a big brother, Thomas Montgomery.

Survivors include wife of 58 years, Emily Sherrill Weatherford; children, Rhonda Katheryn Weatherford Hodge (Keith) of Kannapolis, NC, Rebecca Lynn Weatherford Barlow (Tom) of China Grove, NC, Smiley William Weatherford III (Megan) of Mt. Lookout, WV, Joseph Winn Weatherford (Megan) of Bogart, GA; grandchildren, Nicholas Lei Barlow, Casey Treadway , Smiley William Weatherford IV, Emily Grace Barlow, and Beau Wilson Weatherford; and great-grandchildren, Violet, Ellie, and Max.

Smiley lived a life defined by hard work and an unwavering commitment to helping others. While attending the University of Georgia, he worked as an ambulance driver for a local funeral home and participated in the Air Force ROTC program, where he refined the dedication and work ethic that would characterize his life. He met the love of his life, Emily, at the University of Georgia, and they were married in 1967 before he began flight training. Upon graduation, he was commissioned as an officer in the United States Air Force and completed pilot training in Valdosta, GA before serving in Vietnam, where he flew well over 100 combat missions.

As an EC-47 Skytrain pilot, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) for heroism and aerial achievement for events that happened flying an unarmed reconnaissance mission near Duc Lap Special Forces Camp under the threat of enemy ground fire, obtaining critical intelligence that was credited with saving countless American lives. Following Vietnam, he served as an Air Commando with Air Force Special Operations Command at Howard Air Force Base in Panama and continued his service in the Air Force Reserve after leaving active duty. He received numerous awards and accolades during his distinguished military career.

After his military career, Smiley pursued a desire to improve healthcare sparked by his time as an ambulance driver. He earned a Master's Degree in Healthcare Administration from Georgia State University and became a hospital administrator with Humana, where he oversaw the construction and opening of one of the first modern, fully equipped hospitals in rural Eastern Kentucky. He later directed major renovations, upgrades, and administrative improvements at Meadows Memorial Hospital in Vidalia, Georgia, and led hospital operations in Edenton, North Carolina. His proudest moments as a hospital administrator were those when he was able to empower employees to make meaningful change and find purpose in their work.

While leading hospitals, Smiley developed an interest in psychology and organizational management, deciding to return to the University of Georgia to earn his Ph.D. in Business Administration with a focus in organizational behavior. Upon completion of his Ph.D., he founded a consulting business and began a distinguished career as a college professor. He concluded his professional career in higher education, serving as a professor at Western Carolina University and later as Chair of the Division of Business and Economics at Concord College, now Concord University, in West Virginia. Throughout his life, he generously shared his knowledge by mentoring entrepreneurs, consulting with small business owners, serving on numerous boards, and helping improve healthcare access throughout North Carolina and West Virginia communities.

A devoted husband and father, Smiley worked tirelessly to support his family and would tell you of all the accomplishments in his life he was most proud of his children and grandchildren. He will be remembered as a humble and kind man just as comfortable in a pair of overalls splitting firewood as he was in a business suit leading a board meeting. He embraced life with a sense of duty towards others and a mischievous sense of humor that would keep everyone on their toes. He loved spending time working outdoors and could often be found cutting and splitting firewood on fall Saturday mornings before settling down to watch his beloved Bulldawgs play. He was constantly looking for ways to help others, always focused on the comfort, well-being, and success of those around him. His generosity, wisdom, and servant's heart touched countless lives, leaving a legacy that will endure for generations.

The family would like to express their gratitude to all of the staff of the W.G. Bill Hefner VA, especially the staff of the CLC, for their compassionate care and love over the past 2 years.

Memorials may be made to: East River Volunteer Fire Department, 317A Oakvale Road, Princeton, WV 24740 or the University of Georgia Cognitive Aging Research and Education Center carecenter.uga.edu/contact-us/donate