William Freddy Smith, 76, of Bessemer City, NC, passed away on October 14, 2023 at Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Center in Charlotte, NC.

He was born in Cleveland County, NC, son of the late Grassy and Ionia Byers Smith and was preceded in death by a brother, Clarence Edmond Smith Jr., and a sister, Brenda Smith Platt.

Freddy spent his life as a legendary dirt track racer. He raced nation wide for more than 40 years as #00 and was known as "The Southern Gentleman". Freddy has 785 career victories. He was a 5 time dirt track world champion, the only racer to have achieved this monumental victory, a Hav-a-Tampa National Champion and is an inaugural National Dirt late model Hall of Famer. Freddy lived dirt track racing and brought joy to the lives of countless people throughout his career. He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and role model. His life will be remembered for generations to come as not only a race car driver, but a friend to the masses and a hero in the eyes of many.

SURVIVORS: Wife of 58 years: Naomi Kirby Smith

Son: Jeff Smith (Heather), Bessemer City, NC

Sister: Josephine Moss, Kings Mountain, NC

Grandchildren: Zack Smith, Bessemer City, NC, Austin Compton (Shelley), Dallas, NC, Jake Fields (Madeline), Raleigh, NC, and Lane Fields (Gracie), Cherryville, NC

Great Grandchildren: Brantley, Easton, Emilyn, Bennett, and Kennedy

FUNERAL SERVICE: Wednesday, October 18, 2023 at 2:00 PM at Christ Worship Center with Pastor JR Robbins and Ray Cook officiating

VISITATION: Wednesday, October 18, 2023 from 12:30 PM to 1:50 PM prior to the service at the church

GUEST REGISTER AVAILABLE AT WWW.HARRISFUNERALS.COM