NORWICH – William R. Nesbitt Sr., 61, of Norwich, passed away Tuesday afternoon, March 17, 2009, in the Chenango Memorial Hospital.
Born in Sidney in June of 1947, Bill was the son of John and Sophrona Merritt Nesbitt. He grew up in Oxford, living with his mother and step-father, Eugene Hodge, who raised Bill as his own. Bill attended the Oxford schools before the beginning of his working years by taking jobs on several area farms. He later worked as a porter at Chenango Memorial Hospital, for Branham Industries in Greene, and for the Norwich Shoe Company. A quiet man who didn’t like to argue or sit still, Bill enjoyed the outdoors, fishing, camping and playing his guitar.
Bill is survived by his sons, William Nesbitt Jr. and Stanley Nesbitt and his companion Stella Marie Koren, all of Norwich; Bill’s companion for numerous years, Virginia Schaefer of Norwich; and by his grandchildren: Stanley, Kendra and Joseph Nesbitt. He is also survived by his sisters: Nancy Price and Barb Hodge, both of Oxford; his brothers: Robert Nesbitt and wife Mary Jane of Pittsfield, Donald Nesbitt, Norman Price and companion Dawn Koleman, and Nathan Hodge, all of Norwich; and his step-brother, Dale Hodge of Smithville Flats. Bill was also loved by many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brothers, Walter and Howard Nesbitt.
Funeral services for Bill will be held at noon on Monday from the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home. The Rev. Jeremy Stopford, pastor of the Earlville Baptist Church, will officiate. Friends are invited to call at the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home on Monday from 10 a.m. until the time of the service at noon.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to the Association for Vision Rehabilitation and Employment Inc., 174 Court St., Binghamton NY 13901-3514, with the notation “in memory of William Nesbitt.”