Wistar Palmer Nelligan, Sr.

Wistar Palmer Nelligan, Sr., 88, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on December 19, 2024. Born on March 8, 1936, in Lynchburg, Va. He was the son of the late Palmer Shaw Nelligan and Lydia Kinnier Nelligan. His life was characterized by his love for family and his commitment to God and the community. 

Wistar was a long time member of First Presbyterian Church where he served as Elder for many years. He graduated from E.C. Glass High School in 1954, and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics in 1958, from the University of Virginia. He later earned an MBA from Lynchburg College. He entered the Navy as an NCO in 1958. Here he piloted the aircraft carrier “Saratoga” and traveled extensively. He enjoyed a successful career in banking as well as selling real estate for John Stewart Walker, Inc.

One of his greatest passions was basketball. He was the Co-Captain of the EC Glass State Championship Team in 1953. He then continued his career playing in college at UVA. He was later inducted into the EC Glass Hall of Fame in 2013, and served as President of the EC Glass Athletic Boosters Club.

Wistar was a dedicated husband and a loving father and grandfather. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Duane Perrow Nelligan; his two children and their spouses, Wistar Palmer Nelligan, Jr. and Blair Glass Nelligan of Lynchburg and Katherine Nelligan Steuart and Carter Morgan Steuart, Sr, of Potomac, Md.; and 6 grandchildren, Wistar Palmer Nelligan, III, Carter Glass Nelligan (Liddy), Julia Nelligan Yates (Stewart), Carter Morgan Steuart, Jr., Langley Palmer Steuart, and Taylor Wingfield Steuart; and his great grandchildren, Katherine Watts Nelligan and Lola Blair Nelligan. He is predeceased by his parents and his sister, Susan Nelligan Hyde. 

The family is especially grateful for the loving care that Shelley Hicks has provided over the past 8 years and thankful for the staff at Westminster Canterbury for their professional service and love.

He will be mostly remembered for the way he loved all of us; his big smile, his strong hug, his warmth and kind eyes. It was easy to feel joy in his presence.

There will be a celebration of Wistar’s life on January 4th, 2:00-4:00 P.M., in the Hume Room at Westminster Canterbury.

Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Lynchburg, is assisting the family.