Billy “Arnie” Nelms, 68, of Fitzgerald, Georgia, died Thursday, January 5, 2017, at Pruitt Health in Fitzgerald.
Funeral services will be held 4 PM, Sunday, January 8, 2017, at The Paulk Funeral Home Chapel, in Fitzgerald, with the Rev. Fred Eister officiating and Tracy McKie delivering the eulogy. Interment will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery. The family will receive friends Sunday, from 2 PM until 4PM, at the funeral home in Fitzgerald.
Mr. Nelms was born September 30, 1948, in Ben Hill County, Georgia, to the late Billy Woodrow Nelms & Obie Hutto Nelms. He graduated from Fitzgerald High School in 1967 and received an associate’s degree from Georgia Southwestern. Mr. Nelms worked for the local phone companies for 33 years, General Telephone Co., Alltel and Windstream, as a lineman and an installer. He worked for the Department of Transportation for 10 years as a project engineer. He was an avid NASCAR fan, especially a fan of Jeff Gordon. Mr. Nelms was of the Baptist faith.
He is survived by his wife of 23 years, Judy Nelms of Fitzgerald; a son, Adrian Nelms & Christine of Austin, Texas; a daughter, Karen Boice of Pensacola, Florida; two grandchildren: Michael Travis and Cary Boice; one great-grandchild, Ma’Liyah Travis; two sisters: Pat Dixon of Dublin and Annette & Glen Lashley of Valdosta; two uncles, who were like brothers, Benny Nelms & Priscilla and David Nelms & Anne, all of Fitzgerald. Several nieces and nephews also survive. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two daughters: Suzy Nelms and Dolly Nelms and a brother, Truman Nelms.
The family suggest those desiring to send memorials, may mail them to Pruitt Hospice, 708 East 16th Ave., Cordele, Georgia, 31015 or Bethlehem Baptist Church, % Carol McKie, 2307 Walker Road, Abbeville, Georgia, 31001.