William Carl Nettles

William Carl Nettles, Jr., 82, husband of Jean McGonigal Nettles, passed away at North Fulton Hospital in Roswell, GA on December 18, 2017 after a brief illness.

Born December 1934 in Clemson, SC to William Carl Nettles, Sr. and Ruby Stevenson Nettles, he attended and graduated from Calhoun-Clemson High School, Clemson University (BS Chemistry, MS Entomology), and Rutgers University (PhD Toxicology) 1962.

Bill served in the US Army Reserve at Fort Monmouth, NJ and Fort Bliss, TX from 1958 to 1960.

He worked as a Research Entomologist/Toxicologist for the USDA from 1962 to 1994, first in Baton Rouge, LA at the Louisiana Agricultural Experimental Station, then in Weslaco, TX at the USDA Agricultural Research Center, and finally in College Station, TX at the USDA/ARS Pest Management Research Center and the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station. His field of expertise included insecticides, pest management, wasps, boll weevils, butterflies, roaches, and environmental issues. A highlight of his career was guiding the research of visiting entomologists from around the world. After retiring in 1994, Bill returned to the Clemson area and settled in Salem, SC. He was a lifelong member of the Clemson Baptist Church; he also served on the Patrons Council of the Calhoun Lecture Series at Clemson University and was recognized by the university with membership in the "Benefactors of 1889" Society and Clemson Legacy Society. His interests included running, which he started in high school, sailing Flying Dutchman sailboats, managing his timber tracks, and being a loyal Clemson football supporter.

Bill was predeceased by his first wife of 37 years, Mary Patricia Maguire Nettles, and a nephew, Kevin Plunkett.

Survivors include his wife Jean Grace McGonigal Nettles; his brother James Nettles (Gail) of Seneca, SC; his sister Donnaleen Plunkett (William) of Savannah, GA; nieces and nephews: Richard Nettles, Catherine Cutter, Sean and Erin Plunkett; and five grandnieces/nephews.

Eleven years ago, at his marriage to Jean, he became a stepfather to Graham McGonigal (Tricia), Wayne McGonigal (Betty), Roxanne Dukes (Grady), and Michelle Owens (Ken) as well as a stepgrandfather to 10 grandchildren.

Services will be held at First Baptist Church of Clemson on Saturday, December 23, 2017 at 11 o'clock. A family graveside service will be at The Old Stone Church, Clemson, SC at 9:30 before services.

Visitation will be held after the church service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church of Clemson, 397 College Avenue, Clemson, SC 29631.

Condolences may be expressed online at wwwr.robinsonfuneralhomes.com or at Duckett-Robinson Funeral Home, Central, SC.