Lt Col William 'Bill' Purvis Nesmith, Sr., Usaf (Ret)

Lt Col William Purvis "Bill" Nesmith, Sr., 66, entered into rest on Sunday, December 16, 2012.

Bill was born on October 21, 1946 in Alexandria, Virginia to the late Vardell Edwards Nesmith, Sr., and Annie Laurie Summerford Nesmith. He was a 1968 graduate of the Citadel Military College. With pride, honor, courage and commitment, Lt Colonel Nesmith served his country in the United States Air Force where he was a B-52 Pilot, flying in over one hundred missions in Vietnam. Lt Colonel Nesmith had a very distinguished military career. He was the recipient of many awards, medals, and commendations; receiving Meritorious Service Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Air Medal with six Oak Leaf Clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor Device with four Oak Leaf Clusters, Combat Readiness Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, National Defenses Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with two Bronze Service Stars, Air Force overseas Long Tour Ribbon, Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon with four Oak Leaf Clusters, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, Air Force Training Ribbon, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Device, and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. A resident of Warner Robins since 1994, he enjoyed woodworking, computers, history, and political radio. In addition to his parents, his niece, Niki Perez, also preceded him in death.

His memory will forever be treasured by his beloved wife of forty one years, Dianne Nesmith, Warner Robins; children and their spouses, Annie Laurie Jones (Stephen), Statesboro, B.J. Nesmith (Kristi), Bonaire; grandchildren, Caleb, Anna, and Zachary; brother, Vardell E. Nesmith, Jr., (Cathi), Virginia Beach, Virginia; nephews, Vardell Nesmith and Douglas Nesmith; faithful companions, Sammy and Sweet Pea, and many other loving family members and friends.


A Memorial Service with full military honors will be held at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, December 19, 2012 in the chapel of McCullough Funeral Home with Bruce Goddard officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully suggests memorial donations to the Citadel Foundation, 171 Moultrie Street, Charleston, South Carolina 29409 (In memory of William Purvis Nesmith-1968 Alumni on memo line)


Funeral Home:
McCullough Funeral Home
417 S. Houston Lake Rd.
Warner Robins, GA
US 31088