Willis B. NeSmith

Willis B. NeSmith, 92, of Albany, GA, died Wednesday, June 22, 2011 at Cordele Health and Rehabilitation Center. Funeral services will be held Saturday at 3:00 PM at Mathews Funeral Home. Rev. Bobby Moye will officiate. Interment will follow in Floral Memory Gardens Cemetery. American Legion Post #30 will provide military honors.

A native of Brooks County, GA, Mr. NeSmith grew up in Quitman, GA and graduated from Barwick High School and had resided in Albany, GA since 1951. He retired from Triangle Engineering and was formerly employed with A & M Karagheusian Carpet Factory.

He was an army veteran of World War II where he served in North Africa and Italy. He was a tank commander and served in the 601st Tank Destroyer Battalion. Mr. NeSmith was awarded the Silver Star with two oak leaf clusters, the Eame Campaign Medal with four bronze stars and the Purple Heart. He concluded his military career as a tank instructor at Ft. Hood, TX. He was preceded in death by a son Alan NeSmith and a daughter, Susan Gray.

Survivors include his wife, Josephine M. NeSmith of Albany, GA, two sons, Gary NeSmith of Tybee Island, GA and Tommy NeSmith of Albany, GA, a brother, Edward NeSmith of Tucson, AZ, a half-sister, Essie Lee Guess of Dixie, GA, two grandchildren, Melissa Wood of Savannah, GA and Carla Pritchett Wale of Bothell, WA and two great-grandchildren, Lee Wood and Stella Wood.

Those desiring may make contributions to The Alzheimer's Disease Fund, P.O. Box 96673, Washington, DC, 20090.

The family will receive friends Saturday one hour prior to the service at Mathews Funeral Home.