Walter Robert “Bobby” Smithwick

Walter Robert Smithwick, known to friends as “Bobby,” passed away on Friday, May 11, at the age of 84 years.

A native of Potts Camp, Mississippi, Bobby was the son of Walter Elbridge Smithwick and Sallye Ball Reed. Bobby graduated from Potts Camp High School in 1951.

At age 17, he joined the United States Navy, serving on the aircraft carrier Princeton as a mechanic working on P51 Mustangs during the Korean War.

After the war, Bobby graduated from Northwest College with a degree in mechanical engineering. Bobby married Sylvia Clark, daughter of Jesse Pious Clark and Ella Mae Robbins. He was hired at Fryling Electric in Holly Springs, and would later accept a position at Browne Engineering in Huntsville, Alabama, where he worked until 1974.

Bobby and his father-in-law “Pocket” purchased 400 acres in Benton County. Many stories could be told about Acorn Hill; the farm is where Bobby Smithwick felt at home! The family raised cattle, sawmilled, and harvested softwood and hardwoods for over 50 years on Acorn Hill.

Bobby was married to Shirley Cox Moseley of Potts Camp. Later, many would remember Bobby for his devotion to his wife Katie Murchison.

Bobby was an active community member, serving on the boards of numerous organizations, including both Benton and Marshall County Forestry Associations, Marshall County Cattlemen’s Association, and the local VFW, Veterans of Foreign Wars. He was an active member of the Methodist Church of Potts Camp and would later attend the Methodist Church at Winborn.

He is survived by his devoted friend, Katherine Sundstrom; sisters Betty Shaw and Barbara Wasson; daughter Terri; his sons and daughters-in-law: Walter and Sheila, Clark and Amy, Sam and Laurence; his stepson Eddie Moseley and wife Misty; 15 grandchildren, and 9 great-grandchildren.

Bobby Smithwick loved his community dearly; please join us in a celebration of Bobby’s life which will be held at 1 p.m., on Saturday, June 2nd, at the Baptist Church in Potts Camp.