Smithville Man Killed in Rutherford County Motorcycle Crash

June 4, 2018
By: Dwayne Page

A 55 year old Smithville man was killed after the motorcycle he was driving ran into the back of another vehicle in Rutherford County Friday afternoon, according to the Tennessee Highway Patrol.

William Popejoy of Smithville was identified as the person killed in a fatality report.

The crash occurred at the intersection State Highway 96 and Highway 266 in Lascassas, the report states.

According to the report, the motorcycle hit a vehicle that was stopped in traffic going westbound. The motorcycle then continued into the eastbound lanes and struck another vehicle.

No other injuries were listed in the report.

Popejoy was born May 21, 1963 to his parents, William S. and Ruth Moyers Popejoy. He was preceded in death his sister, Melody Escue. Bill was a construction worker.

He is survived by his mother, Ruth Popejoy of Smyrna; sister, Lori (Gary) Anderson of Liberty; nephews, Gary Anderson, Jr. and Michael Anderson; companion, Valerie Laboe of Smithville; special extended family, Jason (Tosha) Stembridge and children, Brice and Cali Stembridge.

A graveside service and interment will be 2 PM Tuesday, June 5, 2018 at Anderson Cemetery in the Cottage Home Community of Liberty with Bro. Bernard Houk officiating. There will be no visitation at the funeral home. Family and friends will meet at the cemetery for the graveside service at 2 PM.

DeKalb Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.

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