Wayne Tyrone Smith

Wayne Tyrone (Butch) Smith, age 73, of Bluefield, West Virginia, was born on July 7, 1952, and passed away surrounded by the love of his family. Butch was the beloved husband of Sylvia Alexander Smith and the devoted son of Imogene Ferguson. He was a cherished brother to his three siblings, brothers David L. (Sharon) Smith of South Carolina, Charles R. (Tonia) Ferguson of Ohio, Sheila D Smith (who preceded Butch in transition). He was a loving father to two daughters, Malicia Burnett-Turner of Maryland and Cheri Alexander (Dwayne) of Texas, and one son, Russell Edwards of Maryland. He was a proud grandfather to three grandchildren Kirsten Parham (David) of Texas, Gary Stafford and Aaron Burnett-Turner of Maryland, and a joyful great-grandfather to one great-grandchild, Nicholas (Baseball Nick) Parham of Texas. He was also a loving uncle to a host of very special nieces and nephews. A graduate of Bluefield Senior High School and proud United States Marine Corps veteran, Butch carried the values of dedication, and service with him throughout his life. After leaving the Marines, he followed his true passion—working with cars—and built a career as an independent auto mechanic. Known fondly by many as a “magician” when it came to fixing vehicles, Butch had a rare gift for diagnosing and repairing anything under the hood. His hands, patience, and problem-solving spirit brought countless cars and people back on the road, many times without charging them a dime. Butch deeply loved his work, valuing the independence it gave him and the connections he made with those he helped. His pride in an honest day’s work, his mechanical skill, and his willingness to help others defined much of who he was. Above all, Butch will be remembered for his love of family, his strong work ethic, and the quiet confidence of a man who knew his craft well. His legacy lives on through the generations he leaves behind and the many lives he touched. He will be deeply missed and forever remembered. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, December 13, 2025 at Mercer Funeral Home at 12:00 p.m. with Rev. James Palmer officiating. The family will receive friends from 11:00 a.m. until the service hour. Military honors will be rendered by the Mercer County Veteran’s Honor Guard.

Wayne Tyrone Smith

July 7, 1952 - December 6, 2025