William E. "Bill" Nelson | Eastern North Carolina Now

Born: May 16, 1925, Died: April 21, 2014

    Mr. William Earl "Bill" Nelson, age 88, a resident of 2820 Old New Bern Road, Chocowinity, died Monday, April 21, 2014 at his home.

    Funeral services will be held 2:00 PM Wednesday, April 23, 2014 from the Chapel of Paul Funeral Home and Crematory in Washington, conducted by Pastor Henry Horne. Burial will follow in Edwards Cemetery, Possum Track Road, Chocowinity.

    The following will serve as pallbearers: Snodie Carrow, Billy Hill, Douglas Branch, Dennis Daughtry, Garry Riggs and Donald Wiggins. Members of Tau Tribe #18, Improved Order of Red Men will serve as honorary pallbearers.

    Mr. Nelson was born in Pitt County on May 16, 1925. He was the son of the late William David Nelson and Flossie Randolph. Mr. Nelson served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He served on the USS Lyman DE-302 from its commissioning in February of 1944 to the Japanese surrender in Tokyo Bay in September of 1945. Mr. Nelson participated in the Pacific Campaigns at Palau, Luzon, Iwo Jima, Okinawa and the Japanese homeland. After the service, Mr. Nelson was a fireman for the City of Washington. He was a charter member of the Washington Rescue Squad. Later, Mr. Nelson was safety engineer for Brown & Root during the building of the phosphate mine in Aurora. He worked 22 1/2 years at National Spinning in the Maintenance Department before his retirement.

    Mr. Nelson was a member of Union Chapel Free Will Baptist Church where he was a former Sunday School teacher, Choir member and Greeter. He was a member and past Sachem of Tau Tribe #18, Improved Order of Red Men. Mr. Nelson was a former Boy Scout Leader of Troup 86. In his spare time, he enjoyed woodworking, fishing and dressing up as Santa Claus for many years.

    On February 17, 1950, Mr. Nelson married the former Margaret "Penny" Edwards, who survives.

    Surviving with his wife are his son, William Michael Nelson of the home; his daughter, Beth Nelson Dudley and husband, Alan of Chocowinity; brother, Gilbert Nelson and wife, Gean of New Bern; sister, Doris Couch of Hazzard, KY; and granddaughter, Brandi Lynn Nelson of Detroit, Michigan.

    In addition to his parents, Mr. Nelson was preceded in death by a grandson, Christopher Neil Beasley; brother, George Nelson; sister, Alma Dean Banks; and daughter in law, Audrey Jeanne Nelson.

    The family will receive friends from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM Tuesday, April 22, 2014 at Paul Funeral Home and Crematory in Washington and other times at his home.

    Flowers are appreciated or memorials may be made to Union Chapel Free Will Baptist Church, 2110 Old New Bern Road, Chocowinity, N.C. 27817.

    Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.paulfuneralhome.com

    Paul Funeral Home and Crematory in Washington is honored to serve the Nelson family.