William “Bill” Eugene Nelson Sr.
On the morning of July 15, 2017 at 1:02 a.m. Bill passed away at his home in East Helena, Montana as the result of a short battle with cancer. Bill was 75 years old. Bill was surrounded by his loving family as he passed from this life to the next.
Bill Nelson was born in Great Falls Montana on July 26, 1941. He was the son of Nels Edward Nelson and Margaret Graham Farnsworth.
Bill’s life was a very hard and simple one. As a child Bill enjoyed going fishing with his mentor Glen Bostwick. Glen took Bill under his wing and taught Bill the art of “catching” fish and tending to the various animals he had on his homestead. In time Glen brought Bill into his house and treated Bill as one of the family. Glen taught Bill the “ins” and “outs” of working on cars. Bill’s love and knowledge for the old classics would carry on throughout his life.
Bill, in his late teens, moved onto a farm/ranch around the Big Sky area. There he furthered his education, humble as it may be, in the caring of the animals on the farm. He also received some training on the maintenance of the equipment on the farm. This training would lead into his future career in field of construction. Prior to Bills adventure into construction he had an incident with a dump truck, at the age of 17, he rolled it over. The judge told him it was time he got a driver’s license. It is here say and it is rumored that this was Bill’s one and only speeding ticket. Bill worked for his brother Edward Nelson for a good part of his life. He was the Oiler/Maintenance worker who kept the big equipment running. Sometimes in subzero other time above 100 degrees. He loved doing what he did for a living.
Bill, in his early twenties, landed a job with the Anaconda Company in Butte Montana. There he worked at the Berkley Mining Pit, running the massive dump trucks in the pit. Living in Butte, Bill visited Dillon Montana on Labor Day for the rodeo and fun to be had there. Bill never gave up his love of being around the animal kingdom. In Dillon, he met his future wife to be Christine Cromwell.
His marriage to Chris brought into this world three beautiful children: Shawn, Sarah, and Bill Jr. Chris’s dad, Thomas Cromwell, worked on a ranch in Bannock MT. There Bill enjoyed helping out with the cattle and horses on the ranch. Bill was helping with some branding on the ranch, his job: run the calves through the chute. This process has its hazards i.e. a lot of little hooves. One of the calves had a meeting with Bill’s big toe. As the result of this meeting Bill received a memento: an in-grown toe nail. He cared for this memento for the rest of his life.
After Bill and Chris parted ways and Bill moved on in life. He married Sonja. Together they had a son, Nick Nelson. Bill gave Nick the greatest thing he had in his possession: Love to the best of his ability.
As with everyone life happens. Bill moved on from the construction days. He tried his hand at various occupations. One was trucking. Bill loved to travel. A semi with a trailer is not a small chore to move around, especially in a big city. Bill had a mishap, in Chicago, He ran the semi rig and trailer under a bridge. Needless to say, The trailer did not survive. Bill retired from the work force in Dec 2013 from Wal-Mart, where he did maintenance.
Through-out Bill’s life he had two passions that dominated his life: family and his faith in God. His dedication to his family, this included his church family, encompassed his world. If anyone, anywhere needed anything he was there. Bill’s positive and giving attitude in life was contagious. He always had a smile that radiated outward. His smile and jolliness infected everyone around him. Bill used his smile and jolliness to spoil his grandchildren and gave them the memory of a man that defined the word love.
Later in life Bill tried his hand at being a fisherman and hunter. He shot his last cow elk nearly 50 years after he bagged his previous bull elk. This was one of the best moments of his life. Pure happiness. Bills sense of peace and serenity when he was in the outdoors was his meditation in life. He also caught his first walleye a few years ago and quite often out fished those around him.
In the afterlife Bill is looking down on us with a smile of contentment. When we look up to say hi and we will see him later I can almost, no not almost, I can guarantee his response. OKy Doky. I love you all!!
Bill was preceded in death by: Nels Edward Nelson, father; Margaret Graham Farnsworth, mother; Edward Nelson, brother; Dora Nelson sister-in-law; Lorraine Cecil, sister; Sonya Nelson, sister; Brothers-in-laws, Lloyd Jensen and Roy Grassman.
Bill is survived by: Robert Nelson, brother; Sisters, Evelyn Jensen, Ellen Grassman, Shirley Henry. Sons, Shawn Nelson, (Bill) William Eugene Nelson Jr. (Laurie Nelson), Nick Nelson; Sarah Rizzo, daughter; Grandchildren: Kari Leishman(Adam), Elizabeth Thomas(Travis). Elijah, Issac, Justin, Evelyn, Jonathan and Katherine Nelson. Forest Conn Nelson. Great-Grandchildren, Brooklyn, Easton, Adeline and Teighlor. Numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews. Church family.
A Very special thanks to the nurses and staff in the oncology department in St. Petes Hospital. You all are wonderful. St. Petes Hospice how grateful Bill was to have you all in his last days. Liberty Baptist Church what a blessing you all were in Bills life. No words can describe what you have done for Bills heart and soul. Thank you
A funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, July 26th at Liberty Baptist Church, 210 Sierra Rd. W., Helena with a reception to follow at the church. Burial will follow at Forestvale Cemetery, Helena. In lieu of flowers, memorials in honor of Bill are suggested to Liberty Baptist Church, 210 Sierra Rd. W., Helena, MT 59602.
Service Schedule
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Wednesday July 26, 2017
Liberty Baptist Church
210 Sierra Road W.
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
Following the funeral service
Wednesday July 26, 2017
Liberty Baptist Church
210 Sierra Road W.
Helena, Montana 59602
Burial
Following the reception
Wednesday July 26, 2017
Forestvale Cemetery
Helena, Montana 59602
Service Schedule
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Wednesday July 26, 2017
Liberty Baptist Church
210 Sierra Road W.
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
Following the funeral service
Wednesday July 26, 2017
Liberty Baptist Church
210 Sierra Road W.
Helena, Montana 59602
Burial
Following the reception
Wednesday July 26, 2017
Forestvale Cemetery
Helena, Montana 59602
Sam Hunt says
Zola and I send our condolences and our thoughts and prayers are with Amy and Rick plus all your families at this time.
Sue Jackson says
To Bill’s extended family and friends: You earned his love and gratitude with your dedication to his happiness and care, particularly in his last days. I know his death leaves a hole in your lives. Our sympathy, Sue and Duane Jackson
Karen Freiburg. Walmart buddy! says
Sorry for the loss of Bill. His smile was worth a whole lot , made my day every time I saw him.
May he rest in peace.?????????????????
Craig Geckle says
Cathy and I would like to send our condolences. Bill would do anything for anyone just because of the love he had. Jesus tells us to love one another and Bill did just that. God Bless and peace be with you.