Sad News - Willard Smith Passes

[ancrdave]

Very sad to hear of the passing of Willard "Round Daddy" Smith. Willard was one of the pioneers of auto racing in Florida especially at Golden Gate Speedway. He was owner of many sprint cars and had a who's who list of drivers including his own sons David and Robert Smith (shown with their dad in the second photo), Jimmy and Frank Riddle, Will Cagle and many more. Condolences to his lovely wife Louise and all his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. It was a pleasure being around him and his family during the years I was a "gofer" with some TBARA teams and later as a photographer and announcer... I love the last picture of Willard in the old #80 that Fred Strickland restored a few years ago... This car was built in 1958 and Willard acquired it in the late-1960s... Frank riddle was very successful in this car using Willard's #3 and later it was his son David's first car as it is in the picture with the familiar #80 (minus the cage)... RIP...

[Opp fan]

I was making my topic about Willard while you were posting yours. I would have just replied to yours instead of making another topic if I had known.

ancrdave, Thanks so much for posting the photos and history about Willard. I know it will be greatly appreciated by his family and friends and racing fans in general. You do a fantastic job always posting current information and racing history on this board!

[Opp fan]

Obituary for Willard Smith

http://www.southernfuneralcare.com/o...d-Samuel-Smith