Former Kentucky Commissioner of Agriculture, Billy Ray Smith, dies at 82
Billy Ray Smith, former Kentucky Commissioner of Agriculture and Bowling Green native, passed away on Saturday at the age of 82.
Smith, a two-term commissioner, served as the Agriculture leader for the Commonwealth. He was also a former member of the Kentucky House of Representatives, representing Warren and Simpson counties from 1982 to 1995.
As shared by Gov. Andy Beshear in a statement, Smith was a "champion for hardworking farmers, agriculture, and rural communities."
His visitation and funeral service will be held on Friday at First Baptist Church in Bowling Green.
Smith passed away after a brief battle with cancer, according to his obituary.