GATES, NC – Willard Blanchard Nixon, 72, of 695 Saunders Road, Gates, NC, died Sunday, September 1, 2019 in Sentara Obici Hospital, Suffolk, VA.

Mr. Nixon was born in Chowan County on April 3, 1947, and was the son of the late H. Lloyd and Virginia Lee Blanchard Nixon. A graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he received his Post Graduate Doctoral degree, he was retired from Wildlife International where he worked in Environmental Testing. A member of Reynoldson Baptist Church, he was an Army veteran of the Vietnam War where he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal.

Surviving are his son, Jason Nixon and his fiancé, Elizabeth Sharer, of Minneapolis, Minnesota; a sister, Tricia Matosky of Kingsport, TN; two brothers, Paul Nixon of Franklin, VA and Carroll Nixon of Suffolk, VA; and his special friend and companion, Becky Williams of Gates.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, September 4 at 3:00 p.m. in Reynoldson Baptist Church and will be conducted by his pastor, The Rev. Cody Brinkley. A private burial will follow in the church cemetery. Friends may join the family in the social hall of the church immediately following the service on Wednesday, and all other times at the residence.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to the building fund of Reynoldson Baptist Church, in care of Mary Wills, 160 Collins Road, Suffolk, VA 23438.

Miller Funeral Home, 304 Main Street, Gatesville, is assisting the family with arrangements, and online condolences may be made by visiting www.millerfhc.com.