William F. "Bill" Nesmith

June 27, 1919- Oct. 18, 2010 After a full and happy life, William "Bill" Nesmith, resident of Fortuna, passed away on Monday Oct. 18, 2010 with his family by his side. Bill was the second eldest of 8 children, born in Mobridge South Dakota to Frank and Mildred Nesmith. Bill married Virginia Fleming on Feb. 27, 1942 and soon after left for a tour in the Pacific Theater during WWII. Bill was a Radio Operator in the Army Air Corp. from May 1942 - Oct. 1945. After his enlistment he and Virginia lived in Warrenton OR where he worked as an electrician. In 1950 Bill and Virginia moved their family to Fortuna. Bill worked in the local sawmills for a short time before he became a Union Carpenter for the remainder of his career. Bill received his 50 year pin as a proud member of the Local #751. In addition Bill was a longstanding member of Walker Bailey Post 205 in the American Legion. He and Virginia raised 4 children, two boys and two girls, as grandma said "Just as he had ordered". He built the family home himself, on Tompkins Hill Rd, where his daughter and son-in-law still live today. Many of Bill's hobbies included teaching his grandsons to fish, card playing, square dancing and planting a vegetable garden. Bill and Virginia also enjoyed traveling. They were lifetime members of the Ishy Pishy chapter of the Good Sam trailer club. Bill loved to play cards, he enjoyed setting up Cribbage Tournaments with members of his church. It was a rare occasion if he missed card playing with Fortuna Seniors Pinochle group on Thursdays. Bill loved the Lord, and was a devoted member of the Redwood Christian Fellowship Church. He was a quiet but powerful example of a life led by Christ. Family and tradition were very important to Bill. Christmas was celebrated with many family members, and they Always Always had Grapenuts for breakfast, a tradition that was started when he was a young boy. A word to describe Bill was "Proud". Proud of his family, proud of his faith and proud of his accomplishments. Bill is preceded in death by his parents Frank and Mildred Nesmith, loving wife Virginia of 67 years, brothers Ray, and Loren, and sisters Frances, Janice, Muriel and Margaret. Bill is survived by his sister Helen; his children Norman F. Nesmith (Marilyn), Bonnie L. Williams (John), James R. Nesmith (Mayme), and Carol "Betsy" Stanfield (Wayne); his grandchildren Pamela Pugsley, Andrew and Steven Williams, Linda Nesmith, and Jeffrey, Jeremy and Joshua Stanfield, and their spouses; Great grandchildren, Helen Pugsley, Reagan, Grace and Lilly Williams, Jared and Kaci Stanfield, and Allison, Gregory and Carlee Stanfield. Bill will be missed by all who knew and loved him. Visitation/Viewing will be at the Redwood Christian Fellowship church, 750 13th Street in Fortuna on Friday Oct. 22 from 5:30-7:30pm. Funeral services will be held at 10am on Saturday Oct. 23 2010. Internment will follow at Sunrise Cemetery in Fortuna. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Redwood Christian Fellowship church. Arrangements are under the care of Sanders Funeral Home, Eureka. Please sign the guest book at www.Times-Standard.com, click obits.