George Burdine (Bud) Nalley, Jr.

George Burdine (Bud) Nalley, Jr., 87, died peacefully at home on March 15, 2026. Born in Pickens County, he was the son of the late G.B. Nalley and LaVonne Edmonds (Tincy) Nalley. He was predeceased by his beloved wife Anita Lesley Nalley, to whom he was married for 67 years, and by his sister, LaVonne Nalley Phillips.

A 1956 graduate of Easley High School and a 1960 graduate of Clemson University, Bud was active in the Air Force ROTC, Pershing Rifles, Glee Club, Tiger Brotherhood, and Blue Key during his college years. After graduation, he joined and expanded the family construction business, shifting its focus to commercial property development. With a keen vision, he designed and built retail shopping centers that he leased to local and national retailers throughout the Southeast.

Bud was deeply engaged in the civic and business life of Pickens County and South Carolina. He served as a director and chairman on bank boards, was a longtime Rotary Club member, and was named Easley Chamber of Commerce Businessman of the Year. He also served as South Carolina Ambassador for Economic Development and as chairman of the Economic Alliance of Pickens County. In 2014, he received the Order of the Palmetto, the state’s highest civilian honor, in recognition of his lifetime of service and contributions to the community.

A man of strong faith, Bud served for many years as a deacon and elder at Easley Presbyterian Church and as a member of the Foundation Board for Presbyterian Communities of South Carolina. He also played an important role in the development of The Foothills Retirement Community of Easley and The Dream Center of Pickens County. Above all, he cherished time with his family. He traveled extensively with his wife, children, grandchildren, and friends, and found great joy in fly fishing, golf, reading, camping with his children, boating on local lakes, spending time in the North Carolina mountains, and cheering for the Clemson Tigers.

He is survived by his three children, LeAnn Heil (Bob), Kathy DuBose (Dial), and Wes Nalley (Dawn); ten grandchildren, Annie Rossley (Tyler), Megan Revson (Will), Alex Turner (Chase), Kate Mills (John), George DuBose (Sarah), John DuBose (April), Mary Katherine Lentz (Joe), Bennett Nalley (Annie), Mary Ashton Dukes (David), and Weston Nalley (Emily); and nineteen great-grandchildren. The family extends special gratitude to their dear friend and caregiver, Faye Hendrix, for her devoted care, love, and wisdom.