Kenneth Poe Funeral Services

January 14, 2025

CHARLOTTE – William Hill “Trey” Smith III, passed away on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, in Charlotte, NC, after a long and enduring battle with both Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. He was 81 years old.

Trey was born May 19, 1943, to William Hill “Bill” Smith, Jr., and Virginia McCauley Smith in Milwaukee, WI. He grew up in Spartanburg, SC, where he graduated from Spartanburg High School in 1961, and from Tri-State College (now Trine University) in Angola, IN, in 1965, where he earned degrees in both Electrical Engineering and Business Administration. Upon graduation in 1965 he married his high school sweetheart, Louise DuBose Barrow, to whom he was married for 59 years. Trey later returned to graduate school, earning his MBA from Queens College in 1981 in the program’s first graduating class.

Trey began his professional career working in sales for Square D Company. He and Louise moved to Charlotte, NC in 1968, when he returned to the Carolinas to work for Southern Electric Service Company (SESCO, Inc.), where he worked for more than 45 years, ultimately serving as both President and CEO of the electrical wholesale motor service and repair of the company co-founded by his grandfather, William Hill Smith, Sr., in 1913. He continued to lead SESCO until his retirement from the company in 2011, when SESCO was acquired by Jenkins Electric. Even then he continued to work as a consultant and trusted, valued, expert resource in the industry as a business development liaison with Jenkins Electric. Trey was well known as a leader throughout the industry, as well as a man of great kindness and professional integrity.

Whether in a personal or professional setting, Trey was a deeply relational man – a faithful, loving, caring and devoted husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, and friend. Trey loved to explore and experience new things and new places. He traveled with his wife Louise nearly every year, both domestically and abroad. He visited almost every state in the US, as well as countless countries all over the world with his wife, his parents, and ultimately dear friends and travel buddies, Dick and Judy Ranson. He loved to boat, swim, ski (water and snow!), hunt and fish; he enjoyed theater and live music, and attending all sorts of athletic events with friends and family. Without a doubt, the most important thing to him was spending time with his family, and he spent his lifetime creating opportunities to do so. In 1977 he purchased a lot and built on Lake Norman for one reason – to spend time with his wife and children. Though he genuinely enjoyed every each of these activities, what he enjoyed most was the opportunity they provided to spend time with those most dear to him – his wife, his children, his grandchildren, and his friends. His time at home and at their much-loved vacation home on Lake Norman was most enjoyed when he was surrounded by family and friends. He had a knack for finding joy and connection by pouring himself into whatever was important to those he loved – whether as an avid fan of the UNC Tarheels when his daughter was attending college there, or in hours spent in a deer stand with his sons and grandsons, by attending the school plays, lacrosse matches and golf tournaments of his grandchildren, spending countless hours riding in a golf cart and caddying for his grandson, or the tradition of sharing a glass of single malt scotch with his son-in-law. He and Louise had a tradition to taking each grandchild on a special weeklong trip designed especially for them when they turned 14 – simply to spend time with them and foster a desire to explore and enjoy new places and adventures. He coveted time spent with his children and grandchildren and took every opportunity to do so.

Shortly after moving to Charlotte in 1968 Trey and Louise joined Myers Park Presbyterian Church, where he was an active member for 57 years, and where he served broadly across many ministries. He kept the nursery when his children were young, taught both children’s and adult Sunday School, served as a deacon and elder, and chaired the facilities, personnel, pastor nominating committees, as well as the administrative council. As he entered “the third chapter” of his life, his involvement only increased, and he began serving on and ultimately chairing the Cuba mission team for several years. Through all of this he connected with both members and pastors at the church, including Tim Croft and Jane Summey Mullennix, whom he counted as dear friends. About the only thing he did not do was sing in the choir, for which we are all grateful, as despite his many gifts and talents, he could not carry a tune in a bucket! – a trait he passed on to each of his children. Throughout his adult life, Trey also served his community on a variety of boards in the Charlotte area, including Alexander Children’s Center and Sharon Towers, He was also incredibly active in YPO’s (Young President’s Organization) and Rotary Club of Charlotte.

Trey and Louise moved from Charlotte to the vacation home they loved on Lake Norman, NC in 2001 – a place that holds years upon years of family memories for both children and grandchildren, dating back to 1976. In 2021 Trey and Louise returned to Charlotte, given his diagnosis and advancing stage of both Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases.

Trey is survived by his wife of 59 years, Louise Barrow Smith; his daughter, Virginia Smith Matthews (Grady) of Raleigh, NC, and sons William “Hill” Smith IV (Phyllis), and W. Barrow Smith (Cammy) of Charlotte, NC; and eight grandchildren, C. Grady “Gray” Matthews (Kellyn), Virginia McCauley Matthews, William Hill Smith V, Phillip George Smith, Michael DuBose Smith, Brecken Joseph Smith, Cardyn Lowe Smith, and Callan Boyd Smith. Also surviving is his brother, George Gregory “Greg” Smith (Carol) of Greensboro, NC, and several much-loved nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Virginia.

As a family, we find great hope and comfort in the knowledge that in Jesus Christ, all that Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s took from him, has now been restored – both his physical capabilities and all his wonderful memories – “Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable. He gives strength to the weary, and to him who lacks might He increases power. Though youths grow weary and tired, and vigorous young men stumble badly, yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles. They will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary.” (Isaiah 40:28-31 – NASB)

A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, January 31 at 2:00pm at Myers Park Presbyterian Church, 2501 Oxford Place, Charlotte, NC 28207.  A reception will be held in Oxford Hall immediately following the service.

Memorials may be made in memory of Trey to the following: Myers Park Presbyterian Church, 2501 Oxford Place, Charlotte, NC 28207; Memory and Movement Charlotte, 411 Billingsley Road #103, Charlotte, NC 28211

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Avenue, Charlotte, NC 28204; (704) 641-7606. Online condolences may be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.