William Smoak Obituary

William H. Smoak WALTERBORO - William H. Smoak of Walterboro, SC, passed away peacefully in his sleep at home on November 24th, 2015. He died at the age of 80, while under the care of Intrepid Hospice. William was the oldest of nine children born to Horace N. and Pearl O'Quinn Smoak on November 4th 1935. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Faye Westbury Smoak, children: Sandra S. Lawrie of London England, Joey T. Smoak of Myrtle Beach, SC, and James W. Smoak of Green Creek, NC, ten grandchildren and six great-grand's. He was pre-deceased by his eldest son William H. Smoak Jr. (Billy) and sister Miriam Smoak Rodgers. William was known for his adventurous spirit and love for travel. Before becoming a world traveler he started humbly, graduating from Hendersonville High School of SC in 1953. Then went on to serve for the United States Air Force and attend The University of South Carolina. He showed great interest in the entrepreneurial world while working for Lyons Furniture Company in the early 50's. Later, in 1964 he founded Farena Furniture, a company that grew to include 9 locations spanning the South Carolina low-country. Farina became very successful as well as William, earning him the "Small Business Man of the Year Award" of SC in 1980 presented by President Jimmy Carter. Though he had a true talent and passion for business and travel, in his later year's fellowship with family and friends was his greatest passion. Nothing made him happier then bringing together his family for the re-telling of old memories and the making of new ones. These memories include his surviving siblings: sisters, Mary Jane Porter of Goose Creek, Ruby (Mike) Minter of Macon GA, and Janet Smoak of Walterboro and brothers, Kenneth (Claire) Smoak, Wendell (Jackie) Smoak, Ralph (Sandy) Smoak all of Walterboro, and John (Susan) Smoak of Columbia, SC. A memorial service will be held on Saturday December 19th at 11 o'clock at the First Baptist Church of Walterboro. Visit our guestbook at www.legacy.com/obituaries/ charleston