William Donald Smith (Donnie) | Eastern NC Now

    Mr. William Donald Smith (Donnie), 75, passed on Sunday, April 26, 2026, at his home.

    A funeral service will be held on Friday at 2 pm at Paul's Funeral Home. Burial will follow in the Trinity Episcopal Church Cemetery on Hwy 33 in Chocowinity beside Carlie C's.

    The family will receive friends and family on Thursday at 6pm - 8pm at Paul's Funeral Home, Washington, NC.

    Donnie was born in Beaufort County, NC on January 9, 1951, to the late Rufus Dalton Smith and Elva Ruth Smith and was a lifelong resident of Chocowinity. He was a proud 6-year veteran of the National Guard. He grew up in a family-owned grocery store business. He later owned and operated Smith's Food Pride in Chocowinity where he truly enjoyed the outside flower department.

    Donnie was a much-loved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend. He enjoyed Duke basketball, crunching numbers with the stock market, most of all spending time with family and spoiling his grandchildren.

    Mr. Smith will fondly be remembered for his generosity and kind nature. He often came to the aid of those in need and appreciated his many loyal customers, vendors, and colleagues. He loved his family immensely and he will be greatly missed by the many who knew and loved him.

    He was proceeded in death by his parents Rufus and Elva Smith, his brother, Dalton Smith, and a grandson, Justin Clark.

    He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Brinda Brown Smith, his daughters: Marsha Clark & husband, JD; Michelle Hullender & husband, Jason; and Donna Bradbury & husband, Will; his grandchildren: Kayla Clark O'Neal & husband, Jarrett; Alex Hullender, Ian Bradbury, Jake Hullender, Ryan Bradbury; siblings: Carolyn Brown, Sue Mckinney & husband, Rex; and Gary Smith & wife, Becky.

    In addition to flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hodges Chapel Pentecostal Church, 2565 Carrow Taylor Road, Chocowinity, NC 27817.

    Arrangements made by Paul's Funeral Home & Crematory of Washington.

    Online condolences at www.paulfuneralhome.com.