Obituary of William Duane Nutt

After a period of illness William D. Nutt was called to his eternal home and into the loving arms of Jesus on January 11, 2018.

After attending school at Ludlow, MS thru the 10th grade, he completed high school in Morton, MS, and graduated from Hinds Junior College in 1949.

He began his 41-year career with Stuart C. Irby Company/Irby Construction Company on July 26, 1949. After several assignments, he was transferred to the home office in Jackson, MS. It was at this time that he attended First Baptist Church of Jackson, where he met Jane, his future wife, who was serving on the church staff. They were married at FBC of Jackson on March 8, 1952.

He was a 15-year veteran of Mississippi Army National Guard and achieved the rank of Master Sergeant. He served at the Army Chemical Center in Maryland during the Korean War. After discharge, he rejoined Stuart C. Irby and Irby Construction Company where he served in various capacities. In March of 1973, he was elected Secretary/Treasurer of Irby Construction Company, a position he held until his retirement in 1990.

In late 1974, the company was awarded several large contracts in the country of Indonesia. Having an adventurous spirit, William asked to be a part of the undertaking. His request was honored and he became the Business Manager/Administrator for the company’s operation in Indonesia. He was also the administrator of the company school that was established for the children of the company’s employees and the leasing and maintenance of expatriate housing.

Mr. Nutt also was called upon to go to The Republic of South Africa for a project in 1985 and 1986 with similar responsibilities.

Mr. Nutt and his wife sponsored an Indonesian student to come to the USA to attend college at the request of John Smith, a missionary in Indonesia. In 1979 Filip To arrived, and he is now an engineering professor of Mississippi State University. William and Jane also sponsored two of his younger brothers to study in the U.S.

Mr. Nutt served many years as an active member and a deacon of Ridgecrest Baptist Church and later at FBC of Madison. He served as a pianist for the Senior Adult Sunday school group in Madison for many years. Singing in the church choir brought him great joy, and it was his passion for many years.

William’s work ethics were beyond reproach. He came up thru the rank of field worker to his last position as the secretary/treasurer with dedication and hard work. His word matched his deeds. He was well respected and was an inspiration to his peers. He was a family oriented man and greatly loved by his children and grandchildren.

William is preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Miss Clyde H. Nutt, and his brother, Robert R. Nutt. William is survived by his wife Jane of 65 years, son Dale (Sonya) of Clinton, grandchildren Annelise Carey (Ezra) of Nashville, TN, Sarah Gartrell (Gordon) of Jackson, Andrew (Morgan) of Starkville, daughter Jeanmarie (Elsworth) of Tucson, AZ, nephew Randy (Debbie) of Pearl, niece Diane Brown (Glenn) of West Point, other nieces and nephews, and “adopted son” Filip To (Joanne) of Starkville and sons.

In lieu of flowers we wish you to donate and contribute to the following charity organizations:

Samaritan Purse, samaritanpurse.org, PO Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607, 828-262-1980

Jesus Film Project (now CRU), www.jesusfilm.org,, 1000 Lake Hart Dr. Orlando, FL, 407-826-2300.

Wycliff Bible Associates, wycliffassociates.org, 11450 Translation Way, PO Box 620143, Orlando, FL, 32862.

Visitation will be Sunday January 14, 2018 at Natchez Trace Funeral Home from 3:00pm until 5:00pm. A funeral service will be conducted Monday January 15, 2018 at First Baptist Church of Madison at 11:00am with a visitation one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow in Natchez Trace Memorial Park Cemetery.