Billy Franklin Nelms Jr.

Orange Billy Franklin Nelms Jr., 49, passed away in an automobile accident on Sunday, Nov. 29, 2009, at 7:30 p.m. Funeral services will be 12 p.m., Friday, Dec. 4, at Claybar Funeral Home Chapel in Orange. Burial will follow at Autumn Oaks Memorial Park Cemetery in Orange. Visitation will begin at 10 a.m., Friday, also at the funeral home. He was born Oct. 23, 1960, and was a lifelong resident of Orange. He was raised in Duhon Village and was a graduate of LCM class of 79.

Bill was loved dearly by neighbors, and many friends. He was a member of the Republican Party, and loved cars and four wheeling. He collected and enjoyed listening to music and was accomplished in playing the piano and organ. He was a proud student of Odessa College, Class of “2010" and recently completed an EMT Certification Course.

Bill was employed by KBR/DuPont Pontchartrain, of Louisiana; where he worked as an Occupational Safety and Health Specialist.

He earned many safety achievements throughout his career; the most notable was a Washington Group Lion Award for safety.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Billy Franklin Nelms Sr.

and Isla J. Nelms; grandparents, Henry and Nola Corbello, Clyde Nelms and Belle Spears; uncle, Doug Nelms; and cousin, Gerald Hamilton.

He is survived by his brother, Robert Nelms; nieces, Hailee and Kelly Bergeron; uncles and aunts, Don and Mary Stanton, Russell and Betty Theis, Ken and Pam Rieve, Wade and Sandy Nelms and Wanda Jackson; several first and second cousins; and friends, Brent Groff, Chad Pruitt and Shane Borel.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the American Cancer Society.