Willie Bernard Nixon, Jr. (56) departed this life Wednesday, July 9, 2014, at New Hanover Regional Medical Center, Wilmington, NC.  He was born in Burgaw, North Carolina on January 21, 1958, to the late Willie Bernard Nixon Sr. and Johnnie Mae Nixon.  He was educated in the Pender County and New Hanover County School Systems, graduating from Hoggard High School.

Following in his parents’ footsteps, Bernard became one of the youngest entrepreneurs in southeastern North Carolina.  While still in high school, Bernard started his own Zodiac Productions, a sight and sound musical entertainment company that had a following of hundreds of local teens.  The sights and sounds were both unique and different for this area.  He was a businessman and entrepreneur.

Bernard loved his antique and fast cars, especially his ’68 Camaros.

Growing up in the house of a politician and a human rights activist, Bernard ran as a candidate for Pender County Commissioner and won.  He served one term from 1987 to 1991, holding the seat previously occupied by his father.  He, then, became the youngest and second Black to hold this office.  Pender County will remember him as being a human rights activist…aggressive, confrontational and persistent.

Though his life as a youngster might have been looked on as “privileged”, Bernard never failed to help those he felt had been wronged. He was the CEO and administrator of a nursing home he founded in Garland, NC for a number of years.

He was sometimes misunderstood, but he always remained strong in his religious beliefs, his trust in God, and His will.  Even though he was sick for a number of years, he continued to pray for others who were sick and troubled.  Through it all, his words were…”It’s in God’s hands.”

Survivors include: One sister, Mrs. Vanessa Nixon-Lewis; two nephews, Freddie and Christopher Lewis, along with a host of other relatives and friends.  A very special friend, Frankie Bannerman.

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