Walter Wayne Nesbitt

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. today at First United Methodist Church of Gadsden for the Rev. Walter Wayne Nesbitt, 79, of Gadsden, who passed away Thursday, March 13, 2014. The Revs. Harvey Beck and Ken Casey will be officiating. Graveside services will follow at Crestwood Cemetery for immediate family only. Collier-Butler Funeral and Cremation Services is directing.
Mr. Nesbitt was born Sept. 17, 1934, in Birmingham. He moved to Gadsden with his family in 1942. He graduated from Gadsden High School in 1952. He graduated from Auburn University in 1956. He was a member of Kappa Sigma fraternity. He then moved back to Gadsden to join the family business, Nesbitt Motor Co. He married Sonya Head Nesbitt in 1957. Mr. Nesbitt remained in Gadsden as owner of Nesbitt Equipment Company and later a local businessman in the community. He became a licensed Methodist minister and local pastor. Churches he served were Whorton Bend Methodist, Trinity Methodist, Walnut Grove/Pine Grove Methodist and Valley Head Methodist. He was very active in his church, Martin Fellowship Class, Board of Stewards, and the choir for 40 years. He was also active in the following civic organizations: the Lions Club, Auburn Etowah Association, Kiwanis Club, Boys Club, Gadsden Quarterback Club, Gadsden Jaycees, and Gideons. Mr. Nesbitt was also involved in various social organizations including the Intersae Club, Serendipity and Autumnal Club.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Walter P. Nesbitt and Marie Simonton Nesbitt.
Mr. Nesbitt is survived by his wife, Sonya Head Nesbitt; children, Scott Nesbitt of Denver, Colo., Rebecca (Ree) Nesbitt Mihelic (Matt) of Knoxville, Tenn., Loren (David) Nesbitt McGhinnas of Gadsden; grandchildren, Melinda (Jack) Mihelic Brock, Matthew Mihelic, Kaydee Nesbitt, Michael Mihelic, Bro. Bernard Johnathan Denson O.S.B., Taryn Nesbitt, Nathan Denson, Robert Mihelic, Daniela Nesbitt and Riley Nesbitt; sister, Harriett Nesbitt Thompson; brother-in-law, Quinn Head.
Pallbearers will be Albert Sewell, James Isbell, Dr. Sam Norris, Dr. Ted Jones, Stanley Taylor, Robert Moxley, Ray Bullock, Fred Sington, Gary Atkins and Howard Malone.
Honorary pallbearers will be Bryan Ayers, Lee Enloe, Jerry Whittle, Willie Jenkins, Preston Miller and David Taylor.
Memorials can be made in Mr. Nesbitt's honor to First United Methodist Church of Gadsden, Howell Erin Medical Fund or Building Fund, American Heart Association, or Parkinson Association.
The family would like to express a special thanks to Gadsden Healthcare nursing home staff, Lawley Hospice, the Allsup family, Willie Jenkins, Elizabeth Gibbs, Christina Young and Ruth Ballard.
Mr. Nesbitt will lie in state one hour prior to the service at the church.
Online condolences to the family can be made at www.collier-butler.com.