Death of Hon. W. P. Smith [ Gainesville Eagle]

Our city mourns the death of a good man. Monday morning, 7th inst., William Pugh Smith received the Master’s call; at the summons his spirit put off the burdens of his life and went forth into the pavilion of bliss. A short sketch of his life will be of interest to many of the readers of the Eagle.

“Uncle Billy,” as he was affectionately known by most of our citizens, was born in Pickens district, South Carolina, on December 11, 1816, making him very nearly sixty-six years old when he died. He came to Georgia in 1838, and has lived in Gainesville since that time, over fifty years. He was married, first to a Miss Wells; after her death his second wife was a Miss Barrett; she died, and his third wife was a Miss Winburn, who still survives him. [Obituary continues.]