He was 1 of 11 children in his family and he was the eldest son of Mrs. Minnie Nelson-Yarbrough and Mr. Louis Nelson Sr. Born in Powellton, West Virginia, he and his siblings grew up in North Belle Vernon, PA. Dad graduated High School in 1951 in North Belle Vernon, after which he joined the U.S. Air Force in June 1951 serving his country for 26 years of active duty. During his military career he traveled around the world serving in Korea, Vietnam, North Africa, Canada and numerous Air Force bases in the United States. He made friends wherever he was stationed and for many, many years kept in touch with many of them whether it was by phone or mail. He would spend most of his weekends calling family and friends, checking up on them. If not by phone he would send out hundreds of cards and letters over the course of the year. It was always very important to him to make sure he sent out stacks of birthday and Christmas cards every year, keeping a huge calendar pinned to the back of his bedroom door he kept a list of names to help him remember birthdays and anniversaries. Walt retired and moved to Spokane in 1977 where he began working at Kaiser Aluminum. He was proud and happy of the special friendships he developed with his coworkers and their spouses and to the day he passed, continued to cherish the time he had with them. He LOVED the Pittsburgh Steelers and passed the love for the Steelers down to his family that carryon that tradition, he also loved horses, rodeos, cowboy hats and BIG western belt buckles (the bigger the better) and although he hadn’t hunted after his first triple bypass, he still loved hunting. He also continued his love of traveling by car throughout the U.S. and Canada visiting family and friends. Walt leaves behind his youngest brother Lindsey (Pete) L. Yarbrough in Pennsylvania. Walt has 6 children, 7 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. Daughter Denise J. Branham and her husband Michael W. Branham in Texas; son Walter (Tim) O. Nelson Jr. and his wife Gina S. Nelson in Massachusetts; daughter Linda J. Nelson in Washington; daughter Mona L. Robinson and her husband Randall J. Robinson in Washington; son Paul J. Nelson in Vancouver B.C. Canada; son Philip M. Nelson and his wife Yanna J. Nelson in Washington; granddaughter Dedra M. Branham and her husband Daniel Fate Sr.; grandson Nikko R. Gibson; grandson Michael W. Branham Jr. and his husband Aaron McAllister; granddaughter Jessica L. Nelson; grandson Nathan A.M. Thomas; grandson Jourdan M. Nelson; granddaughter Olivia L. Nelson; great-grandson Cobi R. Gibson; great-grandson Daniel Fate Jr. and the many in-laws, cousins, nieces, nephews, and dear friends throughout the U.S. and Canada. Arrangements have been made for Dad's viewing and service. His viewing will be Thursday, 12/6/18 from 4:00pm to 8:00pm and his service will be Friday 12/7/18 at 10:00am. Viewing and services will be held at the Thornhill Valley Chapel, 1400 S. Pines Road, Spokane Valley, WA 99206-5432. (509)-924-2211.
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