Willie James Nash, Jr.
Passed 05/26/2022
A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Friday, June 3, 2022 at 11:00 AM at Tabernacle of Praise Church International 1640 GA-42 North, McDonough, GA 30253.
Services entrusted to Willie A. Watkins Funeral Home of Riverdale. 770-909-8800
Mr. Willie James Nash, Jr. was born on April 19, 1951, in Union, MS to the late Willie J. Nash and Bessie Jane Nash. He graduated from C. H. Boler High School in Decatur, MS. He attended Jackson State University.
Willie was driven and accomplished in sports, particularly loving to play baseball and football. He played football for Jackson State University and later for the New Orleans Saints.
He served in the United States Marine Corp but was most proud of his 30+ years of service in law enforcement. He started his law enforcement career with the City of Atlanta but did most of his career with the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office where he had hundreds of stories to tell in that colorful story-telling way that kept everyone engaged.
In law enforcement he impacted many lives. He developed a passion for training and trained thousands of law enforcement officers. He was a member of the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) and served for several years as Georgia Chapter President of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE). Major Willie Nash retired from the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office in 2004.
Willie’s hobbies included fishing, watching all sports and so much more. He also loved his family and friends often planning fish fries, cook outs and low country boils to bring everyone together.
God called Willie home to eternal rest Thursday, May 26, 2022, at Piedmont Fayette Hospital surrounded by his wife, daughters, and family. He was preceded in death by his parents, the late Willie J. Nash and Bessie Jane Nash, his son Carlos Nash, and brothers John Garner, Vernon Garner and Charles Hooker. He leaves with beautiful memories to cherish: his wife of 25 years Paula Nash, daughters Morgan Nash and Santana Nash, son Michael Nash, and honorary daughter Justice (Temeka) King; sisters Diane Grant, Arlene White, Darlene Brown, and Gemetricia Bass; brothers Andre Griffin, Robert Nash, Charles (Chucky) Nash, and Winston White; and a host of cherished cousins, nieces, nephews, and countless friends.
In some of his last words, Willie expressed a quote by General McArthur that read “Old soldiers never die, they just fade away.” While this quote is so fitting for Willie’s magnificent and impactful life, it is even more fitting because it was said by General McArthur on April 19, 1951, Willie’s date of birth.