William "Bill" Nestor

Bill was born in New York to George and Maria Nestor on June 24, 1927. He graduated from St. John’s University school of Pharmacy in New York and later obtained his Master’s Degree in Mental Health from Nova Southeastern University. Bill worked as a Hospital Pharmacy Director for most of his career. In his retirement he went back to college and in his 70’s became a licenced Mental Health Counselor, with a focus on Christian Counseling. He was a Veteran of World War II and served in the Air Force as a Sergeant.

Bill was involved in many professional and Christian organizations, clubs, and charities including The Archdiocese of Palm Beach Office of Renewal, Knight of Columbus and various Bible study groups. He strived to live a faith based life serving others and offering support and counseling to those in need. He was a great listener and touched many lives through his kind words, guidance and support. He will be dearly missed.

Bill is preceded in death by his second wife Dora, his first wife Fay, parents George and Maria, and brother Arthur.

William is survived by his son from his first marriage, Basil and wife Lily; stepson from his second marriage, Bruce; his brother, Theodore and wife Helen and nieces Mary (John), Susan, Ann (John), Elene, and Christine (Tony).

Visitation will be Friday May 31st at 6pm. Forest Lawn Funeral, 2401 Southwest 64th Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33317. Funeral services will be held at 10am Saturday June 1st at St. Anastasia Catholic Church, 407 S 33rd st. Ft. Pierce, FL 34947 with Father Edwin, officiating. Burial will follow at Aycock Funeral Home & Hillcrest Memorial Gardens, 6026 N. US Highway #1 Ft. Pierce, FL 34946. Arrangements are by Forest Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to St. Anastasia Catholic Church in Fort Pierce.

Uncle Bill’s Eulogy

Family and friends thank you for joining us today as we celebrate the life of Uncle Bill. He was many things to many people, he was a loving husband, caring father and stepfather, steadfast brother, loyal friend and colleague and devoted spiritual leader to God.

As a young man, raised by hard working, successful Greek parents, Uncle Bill was smart and driven towards a higher education. He served as the Nestor’s Family Drug store Pharmacist while his brother Arthur and my dad, Ted, ran the business and served breakfast and lunch at the fountain. Stories are told that even then, his job was more about talking to people, taking the time to listen and offering a helping hand, then filling prescriptions. Throughout his career as a pharmacist, he was very successful. He was involved in many professional organizations and lead as a hospital pharmacy director in Palm Beach for many years. He was my personal inspiration to become a pharmacist myself. I spent a summer with Uncle Bill and Aunt Dora when I was in high school so that I could experience the role of a pharmacist. I walked away from that summer not only certain of my career path but I also developed a friendship and admiration for my uncle which carried throughout my life.

Later during his retirement years, he and Aunt Dora became even more spiritually involved in the church, setting a foundation to be actively involved within the Catholic Archdiocese. Through various ministries he was able to focus on his true passion of helping people. He would tell me that the most important thing in this world is “people” and all need to be treated equal, supported and respected for their individuality. In his 70’s he followed his calling to go back to school to earn his Master’s degree in mental health. He felt that in order to fully understand and appreciate the importance of people and how to best help them, he needed to be educated and knowledgeable. He was most happy and fulfilled when he was listening and helping others through Christian counseling. Father George gave him many opportunities through St. Anastasia and he was grateful to this parish. He also inspired my sister Sue to pursue her career as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker.

Uncle Bill was blessed with 96 beautiful years of life. My sisters and I were blessed with the opportunity to care for him during the last several years when he was unable. He suffered several debilitating falls, memory loss and physical ailments but, his faith and love of God was unwavering. No matter how much his memory failed him, he could always carry a full conversation about the love of Jesus, and the importance of faith.

I remember a conversation we had during our 2.5 hour drive leaving his life in Ft Pierce and moving to Pembroke Pines to be closer to his brother and family. He explained that this life is just a stepping stone to what is most important which is eternal life with God and what really matters is how we live this life through serving God. That we should strive to help others and set an example.

He also wondered what God’s plan was for him in this next chapter where his independence was being lost and a whole new environment was being introduced to him at this late stage in his life. I can tell you that maybe God’s plan at this stage in his life was not for him but for me and all the care givers that had the opportunity to sit with him and share stories and listen to him witness and reflect God’s love thru him. The reports I would receive from various care givers were not of his health but of how lovely and inspirational he was. How they would look forward to their visits and how he was always in good spirits. How he would enjoy playful flattery with the ladies. How they walked away a better person just by interacting with him, as did I.

Rest in peace, dear Uncle Bill. Your life was a blessing and your memory a treasure, we will miss you until we meet again.