Billy Joe Smith, Cedar Grove TN Billy Joe Smith, 90, of Cedar Grove TN, passed away peacefully at home on January 28, 2022. His funeral service will be held Saturday, February 5th at Bodkin Funeral Home, Milan TN, at 2:00pm. Visitation will precede the funeral from 12:00noon-2:00pm. There will be a graveside service at Hickory Flat Methodist Church Cemetery located at 130 Highway 220 Cedar Grove, TN 38321 immediately following the funeral service. Born September 30, 1931, in Jackson TN, Bill was the son of the late Bonnie Sumler McCollum and John Lee Smith. He is survived by his high school sweetheart and wife of 70 years, Joe Ann Smith, and their two daughters: Cynthia Gail Smith (James), of Atlanta GA, and Suzanne Smith Hardin (Lee), of Greenville, SC. He is also survived by his nieces Lori Silloway, Carmon Roach, and Christi Ingram, and nephews Jeff Vinson and Lee Johnson. Bill was predeceased by his sisters Shirley Vinson and Joann Carroll. Bill served in the US Army from 1953-1959 and was stationed in Korea as a Sergeant in a tank Division and then Ft. Benning, GA. After the Army, he joined the Columbus, GA police department as a motorcycle officer, before returning to Tennessee where he continued his career in law enforcement with the Shelby County Sheriffs Department, where he was called "B.J." by his department friends. He began as a deputy working in the County jail, rose through the ranks, and retired from his nearly 30-year career as Chief Deputy in 1987. One of his favorite assignments was as a patrolman for the first K-9 squad of the Shelby County Sheriffs department with his canine partner, Chief. Bill was promoted from the squad, and when Chief retired a few years later, he came to live as the family pet. After retirement, Bill and Joe Ann moved back to Cedar Grove where he lived a very active life. In addition to managing his rental home properties, he worked as a substitute rural postal carrier for over 10 years. He was civically active as a Carroll County Commissioner for 20 years and served on the boards of the Election Commission (chairman), Indigent Board, 911 Board, and Carroll County 1000 Acre Lake Planning Commission (chairman). Bill and Joe Ann were active members of Hickory Flat United Methodist Church for over 30 years. He was a devoted husband, loving father, and friend to many. He was best known for his fun-loving disposition and entertaining storytelling. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Hickory Flat United Methodist Church C/O Janna Dunavant 130 Highway 220, Cedar Grove, TN 38321. Funeral Service Saturday, February 05, 2022 2:00 PM Bodkin Funeral Home 2000 South 1ST Milan, Tennessee 38358 Visitation Saturday 12-2 pm