Obituary - William Fred Smith

William Fred Smith, 69, of Cannon, Kentucky, passed away Tuesday, May 13, 2025.  Fred was the son of Oliver Paul Smith and Barbara Helen Garland Smith, born to them November 26, 1955, in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Fred will be remembered fondly by all those who knew and loved him. He was a kind and caring man who loved his family immensely, including his dogs, Ducky and Shackles. Fred worked 17 years as a maintenance engineer at the Barbourville Hospital. In his spare time, Fred enjoyed playing guitar, listening to rock music and listening to science fiction audio-books. Fred was a brown belt in Karate. He also loved watching the History Channel and conspiracy theory dramas on television.  

Left behind to mourn Fred’s passing is his beloved daughter, Noel Turner (Kimber); brothers: Jim Smith (Ethel), Shawn Smith (Jeanetta), Dale Smith (Laurie), Scott Smith (Jennifer), Robert Smith (Lisa), and Daniel Smith, and sister, Kathy Hinkle (Curt).  Fred was preceded in death by his parents, Oliver Paul Smith and Barbara Helen Garland Smith of Knox County.

The Smith family will receive friends at Hopper Funeral Home on Saturday, May 17, 2025 from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM and on Sunday, May 18, 2025 from 12:00 PM until the funeral hour of 2:00 PM.  Reverend Nick Gunn and Reverend Brian Davison will officiate. A musical tribute will be performed by Lenora Warren. Interment will follow the funeral service in the Jackson-Garland Cemetery, Cannon, Kentucky. The family has chosen as Casket Bearers: Jim Baker, Jamie Bays, Jamie Cooke, Tim Jackson, Craig Mills, Nathan Smith, and Trevor Smith. 

The Hopper family, Victoria Hopper and Sally Hopper, along with the staff of Hopper Funeral Home, Mr. Robin Reese, Mr. Reid Brewer, Mrs. Lorena Blankenship, and Mrs. Brenda Johnson, express sincere condolences to the family and friends of William Fred Smith.