William (Bill) Leonidas Nisbet, age 101, of Wilmington, died peacefully on Sunday morning, April 10th at Dosher Nursing Home in Southport, NC. Bill Nisbet was born in Sanford, NC on November 10, 1914, the son of the late William L. Nisbet and Alice Williams Nisbet. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mildred Gibson Nisbet, three sisters, Nancy Bowden of Wilmington, Edith Holley of Greenville, NC, Phoebe Kinlaw of Ahoskie, NC, and brother, James Alexander Nisbet of Sanford, NC, and his beloved dog, Max. He is survived by his two sons and their families, son William (Billy) L. Nisbet and Gail H. Short of Southport, NC, grandson William L. Nisbet, III of Myrtle Beach, SC; and son Albert G. Nisbet, wife Debra Tyndall Nisbet and granddaughter Tracy Rene Nisbet of Sneads Ferry, NC, sister Margaret Kittrell, Greenville, NC, and several nieces and nephews who loved him dearly. Bill was educated in Greenville, NC city schools, graduating as valedictorian and president of the Senior Class of 1931. He attended East Carolina Teachers College (ECTC) and had the pleasure of playing on the first football team at ECTC, now East Carolina University. In 1937, he began a lifetime career in retail by opening his first store in Greenville, NC. He was drafted for military service in World War II and was discharged as a Captain in the United States Air Force in 1946. He moved to Wilmington and opened Nisbets Ladies Shop on North Front Street in 1946, the first of several locations Nisbets would occupy on Front Street in the years to come. After a short hiatus in 1967, he reentered the retail business and opened as Country Vogue, Inc. and later had several locations across Eastern North Carolina. He retired from active business in 1977 but retained his interest in Country Vogue, Inc., Myrtle Beach, SC operated by his son Billy. Bill was active in civic affairs as well. He served as President of the Wilmington Merchants Association and the Wilmington Rotary Club (1953-1954). From 1965 to 1978 he was a member of the Redevelopment Commission of the City of Wilmington that planned and developed much of the riverfront in downtown Wilmington as it is today. In 1974 he was honored as President of the Greater Wilmington Chamber of Commerce. On his 101st birthday, the Wilmington Rotary Club recognized him as a Paul Harris Fellow and an honorary member. He was a lifetime member of the Carolina Yacht Club, an Honorary Member of the Cape Fear Country Club and a member of St. Johns Episcopal Church. Special thanks goes to Jane and Jerry Shelton who were his dear golfing friends over many years and to the men of the 21 Club who he met with every Tuesday morning for coffee hour. Also heartfelt thanks to Lynn D. Kripple, former daughter in law, for the devotion she gave him over the many years. Graveside services will be held at Oakdale Cemetery in the Live Oak Section at 2:00 pm on Thursday, April 14, 2016 with The Reverend Dr. Thomas C. Barnett of St. Johns Episcopal Church officiating. The family would also like to extend our heartfelt gratitude and sincere appreciation to the many people at Dosher Hospital in Southport that gave our Pop such wonderful care. From the ER staff, the nurses, the dietary department, occupational therapy and physical therapy, you met his every need giving him love and support. He thought you all were wonderful. We also thank the Dosher Nursing Home and Hospice for the care you gave him during his last days. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Johns Episcopal Church or to the charity of your choice.