William Nelson

William Hobart Nelson, age 84, died April 29, 2008 at his home in LaCygne, Kansas following a two year battle with lung cancer. He was born September 8, 1923 to John Earl and Harriett Louise Hill Nelson in Drexel, Missouri where he lived until he joined the United States Navy in March 1943. He served his country on Manus Island in the South Pacific as the warehouse/supply manager during WW II until his honorable discharge in April 1946. Before joining the Navy, Bill, or Billy Jack as many knew him, worked as a skate boy at the Drexel Roller rink where he met his future bride and love of his life, Dorothy Darelene Keith of LaCygne. Upon return from the Navy, Bill and Dorothy married on August 17, 1946 at the United Methodist Church in Paola, Kansas and they skated together down life's highway for over sixty-one years. They lived in Kansas City for ten years where Bill worked for General Motors and International Harvester before returning to LaCygne to raise their four children. Bill accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior and was member of the Calvary Baptist Church in LaCygne where he served several terms on the Board of Trustees. Bill also served his church and the community by delivering Meals-on-Wheels, mowing the church lot, helping in the food pantry and many other volunteer activities. Whenever help was needed, you could always count on Bill. Along with farming, Bill worked as the Director of Weed Control for Linn County, Kansas for twenty-eight years. Upon retiring from Linn County in September 1988, Bill continued to farm and enjoyed many trips to Branson, Missouri where he always came home with a new craft project. He also enjoyed working in his garden, mowing his yard and spending time with his grandchildren. He is survived by his wife, Dorothy Nelson of the home and his children Keith Nelson his wife Sherry and family of Ottawa, Kansas, Nancy Thomason her husband Max and family of Stockton, Missouri, Robin Duncan and family of Overland Park, Kansas and Steve Nelson his wife Mary and family of Parkville, Missouri, eleven grandchildren and thirteen great grandchildren. Funeral services will be held 1:30 PM Friday May 2, 2008 at the Calvary Baptist Church in LaCygne, Kansas. Burial will be in the Oak Lawn Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6:30 to 8 PM Thursday at the Calvary Baptist Church. The family suggests contributions to the Calvary Baptist Church c/o Bill Nelson Memorial, or Hospice of Kansas, in care of Coffel-Schneider Funeral Home, LaCygne. On line condolences for the family can be left at www.coffelschneider.com. Arrangements: Coffel-Schneider, LaCygne, Kansas.