William P. Nelms, age 68 of Murfreesboro, TN, died Tuesday January 17, 2012 at his home. Born in Temple, TX, he was the son of the late Thomas S. Nelms, Jr. and Icey Mae Goodner Nelms. He was also preceded in death by a brother, Thomas Nelms, III. Mr. Nelms is survived by his wife of 48 years, Mary Penney Nelms; son, Porter (Shelley) Nelms; daughter, Pam (Brad) Truitt all of Murfreesboro, TN; sister, Brenda E. (Harv) Poag of Lebanon, TN; grandchildren, William Nelms, III, Kara Nelms, Jay Robert and Brenna Truitt, Jordan and Kelsey Vandiver and great granddaughter, McKinzie Vandiver. Funeral services will be 11:00 AM Thursday at Woodfin Funeral Chapel with Rev. Tom Bell and Dr. Craig Martindale officiating. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery with Ed and David Loughry, Ed Ferry, John Barbee, Dwight Hancock, John T. Holloway, J. R. Hayes, Travis Lampley, Mike and William Nelms serving as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be members of Mt. Moriah Masonic Lodge # 18. Mr. Nelms was a member and elder of First Cumberland Presbyterian. He was former chaplain at Mt. Moriah Masonic Lodge and was a member of Al Menah Shrine. Mr. Nelms was a 1961 graduate of Central High School. He received his BS from Middle Tennessee State University in 1965 and received his Law Degree from the University Tennessee in 1969 and practiced law in Murfreesboro until his death. Visitation will be from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM Wednesday at WOODFIN FUNERAL CHAPEL. 893-5151. Online condolences may be made at www.woodfinchapel.com.