Osier Lyman “Buddy” Nims, 81, of Pace, Florida, passed away Monday, February 5, 2018, surrounded by his loving family.

Buddy was born in Pensacola, Florida, on August 18, 1936. He was a Pensacola High School graduate. He was a dedicated Monsanto Employee for 35+ years and retired in 1994.

He looked forward to, and enjoyed, his monthly breakfasts with his retiree buddies, and came home with a lifetime of entertaining stories. He had many longtime, close friends that were “true buddies” to him.

Buddy was an avid fan of the Florida State Seminoles, NASCAR and Wrestling. Tinkering in his garage was one of his favorite pastimes. Buddy was a kind man who loved his family dearly. He was great at giving fatherly advice and was giving his children one of his famous lectures right up until the end. He worked very hard throughout his life, to show that his family came first. He will be greatly missed by all that knew him.

He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Rufus Lyman and Lorena Nims.

Buddy is survived by his loving wife of 48 years, Myrtis “His Honey”, whom he cherished; two daughters, Diane Wheeler and Kathy Houston, of Pensacola; a son, Michael Lyman Nims, of Pace; three grandchildren, Evan (Fiancée Christina), Samantha (Fiancée Chaz), and Heidi; one sister, Fannie Mae Flowers, of Florida; and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., Thursday, February 8, 2018, at Lewis Funeral Home, Pace Chapel (4777 West Spencerfield Road, Pace, FL 32571.)

Graveside Services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, February 9, 2018, at Elizabeth Chapel Community Cemetery in Chumuckla, with Brother Jeff Leake officiating. In case of inclement weather Friday, the service will be held at Lewis Funeral Home, Pace Chapel.

The family wishes to thank the staff of CCU, at West Florida Hospital for their outstanding, kind and compassionate care of their husband/father/grandfather during his brief illness.