William B. Nessmith, Jr., DVM, known affectionately as “Dr. Billy” to most, hung up his veterinarian stethoscope for the last time a few weeks ago at Statesboro Bulloch Regional Veterinary Hospital, chalking up a total of 46 years as a vet. That number doesn’t accurately reflect the truth, though, because Nessmith had been taking care of animals, in some fashion, since before he started grade school. Raised on a farm in which he can see the old farmhouse from his current front porch steps, a young Billy Nessmith was tasked with feeding and watering cattle, hogs and horses for as long as he can remember.