William C. “Bill” Nettles, 89, passed away on Thursday, May 7, 2026, in his home in Seaford after a short illness.
Bill was born in Newport News but grew up in Poquoson until he relocated to York County with his wife, Peggy. He graduated from Poquoson High School and loved to talk about how he would miss class so he could drive the school bus to pick up students for school. He also served in the Army and Navy Reserves.
Bill worked at the NN Shipyard after he graduated from the Newport News Apprenticeship Program in 1957 and worked at the Shipyard and then at NASA Langley Research Center Hampton where he retired after 25 years. He was very proud to have worked on the Wind Tunnel and the Lunar Landing Research Facility. He had been involved with the York Lions for many years.
Bill is survived by a daughter, Suzette Sapp (Richard) and a son, Timothy Nettles, three grandchildren, Richard Jr. (Kaitlyn), Noel Williamson, Megan Sapp, and four great grandchildren Kennedy, Penelope, Brielle and Cooper. He is also survived by many extended family members.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years. Margaret A. “Peggy” Nettles and his parents William W. Nettles and Pearl Edith Nettles.
Bill enjoyed boating and fishing when he was younger and shared his love for water with his children and grandchildren. He loved to look at old cars and was the unofficial driving instructor of the family. He not only taught one of his brothers-in-law how to drive a car, but also his children and grandchildren. As he got older, he would tell everyone “He was a very good driver” and found joy in taking Megan, Kennedy and Brielle for golf cart rides and taught them how to drive that as well.
Memorials can be made to York County Fire and Life Safety or the York Lions Club. We would also like to thank York County Fire and Life Safety for their assistance over the last few years.
