William Nesler
March 29, 1947 ~ March 28, 2013
William A. Nesler, 65, of Miller, was called home Thursday, March 28, 2013 at Avera St. Luke’s Hospital in Aberdeen after a brief illness.
A Celebration of Bill’s life was held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, April 6, 2013 at Reck Funeral Home, Miller with Rev. Brian Jones officiating. A reception followed the service at Turtle Creek, Miller.
On March 29, 1947, Bill was born to Cleo Potter and William Nesler, Sr. and raised in Sonora, California. On July 1, 1965, he was drafted into the United States Army, serving in Germany in an intelligence gathering unit. While in Germany, he was stationed in Vietnam for nine months where he flew forward air control missions, flying a Cessna Bird Dog. Two years later, he was honorably discharged.
Bill was no stranger to flying. He followed in the family business of crop dusting at the age of 16 until he was called into the Army. Bill passed with 40 years of flying and some 30,000 hours under his wings.
Upon getting out of the Military, he once again returned to crop dusting and traveling throughout the United States, as well as overseas. He spent one year crop dusting in Egypt before going to Liberia, West Africa where he flew Bush Planes off and on for 20+ years. For the last 16 years, he has worked in South Dakota, first for Aero Spray Services in Miller, and then for Wilbur-Ellis in Huron, South Dakota where he enjoyed what he called “family”.
Bill's famous quote that many knew well, “If I die tomorrow there is no one that can say I haven’t lived.”
Bill leaves behind his wife of 25 years, Chris Jones of Miller; one brother, Bob Nesler of California; four children: William, Becky, Jeff and Raquel (Brian); and three grandchildren, Kyle, Courtney and Morgan.
Preceding him in death were his parents.
The family requests casual attire for the service in honor of Bill.
Reck Funeral Home of Miller has been entrusted with Bill’s arrangements.
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Chris,
I know that God has sent an angel to watch over you at this sad time in your life. And I know that Bill is smiling down on you and saying that he is just fine. If you need anything, please let us know. God bless and keep you.
Your friends,
Barbara and Charles
Chris, Carolyn and I wish you to know we are here if you need to talk. Our deepest condolences to you and your family on Bill’s passing. We wanted to meet you two in person this year at Wayne’s but now we will have to meet Bill in life everlasting. God grant you peace and comfort with his love and grace.
Chris, my heart goes out to you and the family. I will always remember Bill as Duster, an American hero, a wonderful internet friend, and one heck of a pilot. Love and hugs, blessings and prayers to you and the family.
Even though I didn’t know you personally you made a very positive impression on me.
I am honored to have at least read some of the things that were in your head as well as in your heart. Thank You And May God Truly Bless you.
I never met Duster in person, but I enjoyed his posts on CF. He challenged me to think outside the box and I will certainly miss his presence.
CJ, I wish there was something I could do to make this easier. Know that my thoughts and prayers are with you during this very difficult time. :::hugs:::
Cheryl
I only knew Duster online for a short time, but I considered him to be a friend. I’ll certainly miss him.
I only knew Duster online for a short time, but I considered him to be a friend. I’ll certainly miss him.
N-T
May you have peace in your heavenly home and your spirit fly with the angels.
My condolences and prayers to the family. He will surely be missed, but never forgotten.
My sincere condolences to the family.
“Duster” will be missed. Grateful
to have been able to spend time sharing experiences with him over the years.
Old Friend, you are now in that Great Place with the Lord. Perhaps you can teach the angels to do barrel rolls.
You are sorely missed, Duster. ‘Till we meet again.
Shooterman
Rest in Gods hands Bill.
Rest in peace Duster. You will be sorely missed.
Ruthie and I extend our deepest condolences. In the brief time we interacted with Bill last year, we quickly came to appreciate his wisdom and experiences. He was no ordinary man. Hang in there Chris and family. We will be thinking of you.
My heart is heavy with the loss of such an exemplary American. May The Heavenly Father’s Hand of comfort and strength lie upon you Chris and your family.
Rest in Peace. My deepest sympathy’s CJ to you and your family.
We are so sorry to hear of Bill’s passing. Your family is in our thoughts & prayers.
Bill was a great American patriot and will be missed by all who knew him.
May God guide you through this difficult period.
I am deeply saddened by the news of Bill’s passing. My heart felt condolence goes to the family.
I was privileged to work on number of gold projects in Liberia with Bill. He was a fine gentleman, multi talented, caring and a true patriot of America.
Bill will be missed immensely by all those who had the opportunity to know him. May God grant him eternal rest.
Wait for me, Duster. I’ll see you soon.
I wish to give my condolences to the family. I only knew him with our many discussion on a forum he frequented often, LNF. He will be sorely missed there. I was privileged to converse with him on many occassions and was one of my favorite persons to talk to. My thanks for his service and prayers to his family. I look forward to having future talks with him when I cross that threshold. May the Lord grant him the peace he so derserves.R
I knew this man William as Duster from several internet forums. He taught me a lot and was a good friend and a great American. I was deeply saddened by the news of his passing. I will keep you and him in my thoughts and prayers and never forget him.
I want to say that I knew Bill and his family, and they all share a very special and rare kind of love between them. You don’t get it very much these days and it was good to see it still existed. My heart goes out to them and I also hope they are doing well over there.
For Bill, I can honestly say I am going to miss him dearly. He isn’t gone and never will be. I suspect that right now, he is flying high above us in the clouds that he loved so much. But he’s smiling, wherever he is and I’m pretty sure he’d encourage me to do the same. I say again, I honestly miss him. Above all, it was the greatest privilege to have known him.
I will remember Bill fondly from the many eyars he sprayed for my dad while I was in highschool. He will be missed here on earth but we will meet again one day.
CJ and family. I’m so very sorry to learn about Bills’ passing. My heartfelt condolences go out to you all at this time.
With a heavy heart I can only say….I’m sorry.
May God bless Bill and his family.
I met Bill during the 3 years I worked for Wilbur-Ellis. As I was getting my pilot’s license over the last year in Huron, I always enjoyed my time at the hangar. Bill always had a story to share, discussion of world affairs and lots of great tips for a student pilot like me. He will be missed!
Wow! Just look at all the people from so many places around the world who loved you Bill! I met you when I was 12 years old and you made a huge and lasting impression on me! You were definitely one of the most interesting people I have ever known in my life! I love you always and will miss you and never forget you as long as i'm alive. Hope to see you on the other side! Love,Tracy