William Bill Nesbitt started as the iceman at the Adams County Fairgrounds. He later took on the challenge of becoming a member of the Adams County Fair board. Bill was instrumental in the arranging of the country music acts at the Adams County Fair. Country music was a huge passion of his so he took on this challenge with enthusiasm. He and his wife Mary attended many country music shows in their free time. Bill loved having his grandchildren at the fairgrounds, treating them with free fair rides and letting them meet the country music stars that were performing at The Fair.
Mary is still living in Quincy after Bill‘s passing and keeps up on what is going on at the fairgrounds. Mary was at a basketball game one evening when a family friend asked her if she would be interested in being the recording secretary at the Adams County Fair - and that is where her story begins. Mary served as the secretary for the Adams County Fair for 25 years. Mary was very dedicated to the job and was named an Illinois "Outstanding County Fair Person" in 1999 from Governor George Ryan. Mary always looked forward to the day the fair books would come in. She would get her granddaughters to help her stuff envelopes to get them out quickly. And Mary’s “spare time “she worked for CUST #4 school district as a secretary. One of her favorite jobs after she retired, was riding along on the preschool bus that Bill drove for the school district. They both loved those children with all their hearts. Bill and Mary’s children Pam (Donald) Kretzer And Kurt (Kolleen) Nesbit are still fair supporters to this day, along with their grandchildren and great grandchildren.