Einar Lennart Nelson

He was born on Oct. 5, 1923, in Superior, Wisconsin, the only child of August and Signe Johnson Nelson. He was baptized and confirmed at Covenant Evangelical Church in Superior. Einar married Carolyn Patricia Lloyd on Aug. 22, 1945, in Long Beach, California, at the end of his service in the Army Air Forces. Mr. Nelson served honorably during World War II with the 8th Army Air Forces, 457th Bombardment Group, 750th Squadron, as a navigator on B-17Gs stationed at Glatton, England. Lt. Nelson flew 35 combat missions and was awarded the Air Medal with 5 oak leaf clusters.

Mr. Nelson, a longtime resident of Alexandria, Virginia, was a graduate of American University. He retired after 35 years of federal service with the U.S. Navy Department. After his federal service, he worked for Charles E. Smith Management Co. and later volunteered with the Stafford County, Virginia, Sheriff’s Department. Mr. Nelson was a member and elder emeritus of New Hope Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Fairfax, Virginia.

He is survived by four sons, David (Donna) Nelson of Eatonton, Georgia, William (Jennifer) Nelson of Murrells Inlet, Stephen (Gaynor) Nelson of Sumter and Carl (Roxana) Nelson of Alexandria; four grandchildren, Kristen Nelson Ray, Daniel (Jean) Nelson, Paul Nelson and Alec Nelson; and five great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Carolyn.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. today in the chapel at Elmore-Hill-McCreight Funeral Home in Sumter with the Rev. Dr. Gordon Reed presiding.

Burial will be at Quantico National Cemetery, Triangle, Virginia.

Memorials may be made to The Building Fund, Westminster Presbyterian Church, 230 Alice Drive, Sumter, SC 29150.