William E. Nelson

Graveside services with full military honors are scheduled at Main Post Cemetery on Thursday, March 24, 2011, 11 a.m. with Reverend Gene Boyd officiating, according to Striffler-Hamby Mortuary, 4071 Macon Road, Columbus. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Wednesday, March 23, 2011 from 6-8 p.m.

Mr. Nelson, son of the late James Bernard "JB" Nelson and Cecile Hooton Nelson, was born December 5, 1926 in Pensacola, FL. He was retired from the US Army, where he served his country honorably for 20 years. During his distinguished military career, he was assigned to the 88 Infantry All Draftee Division, and served in Tarvisio, Italy in 1945. After retirement from the military, he began a new career and owned/operated his own Dental Lab until retirement in 1991. Mr. Nelson was a proud member of the Chattahoochee HOG family for 18 years. On the day of his death, he was en-route to a ride in support of children Cancer research. He thoroughly enjoyed attending mass at Christ the King Catholic Church, Pine Mountain, GA. Mr. Nelson was married to the Love of his life and wife, Louise "Bootsie" Nelson, for 47 years before she was taken to heaven.

He is survived by his children, Donald Nelson and his wife Becky, Susan Wiggins, and Sandra Cox and her husband Bruce; grandsons, Matthew Nelson, Russell Crase, Cale Wiggins, and Nathan Crase and his wife Kathryn Crase; granddaughters, Amanda Rhodes and her husband Daniel, and Andrea Easter; great-granddaughters, Alyssa Hampton and Ava Rhodes; sister, Patty Liberato and her husband Frankie of Houston, TX; sister-in-law, Clara Peagler of Pensacola, FL; a host of nieces; nephews; and his cherished extended HOG family. He lived a life of no regrets that was filled with many wonderful memories. We have solace in knowling he is now where he has always wanted to be, with his "Bootsie."

Condolences may be offered at www.shcolumbus.com.