Billie Joe Bill Nelson

Billie Joe "Bill" Nelson, age 80, of West, passed away early Sunday morning, November 2, 2008 at Hillcrest Baptist Medical Center in Waco. Funeral services will be held 2:00 p.m. Wednesday at First Baptist Church in West, with Dr. John Crowder officiating. Private graveside services with Military Graveside Honors will be held at Bold Springs Cemetery. The family will receive visitors from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Bill was born May 16, 1928 in Slaton, TX the son of Sidney Eugene and Nellie O'Rene (White) Nelson. They lived in the Cottonwood area near West where he attended West Elementary and West High School. He served his country with the United States Navy after World War II. On June 6, 1948, he was united in marriage to Nell Donohue in West. Bill was an auto salesman for Bolton Chevrolet in West for many years. He also worked for Waco Toyota, B & N Trucking, and General Motors. He loved spending time with his family. Bill also enjoyed working in his shop, collecting antique tools, traveling to Gunnison, CO, cooking, and visiting with people. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of West and a former deacon at Golden Gate Baptist Church in Ft. Worth. He was also a member of the Disabled American Veterans Waco Chapter and the Masonic Lodge in Ft. Worth. He is preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Gene Nelson. Survivors include his beloved wife of 60 years, Nell Nelson of West; a son Mike Nelson and wife Debbie of West; a daughter, Carrie Verkuil of Tustin, CA; a sister, Betty June Baldwin of Tustin, CA; four granddaughters, Anna Rose Wines and husband David, Erinn Chenevert and husband Chris, Kelly Nelson, and Carrah Nelson; two great grandchildren, Luke and Shelby Wines; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. Active pallbearers are Gary Wines, Kirk Wines, Rusty Johnson, Ernest Grmela, Andy Grmela and Jimmy White. Honorary pallbearers are Grant Barrow and John Gibson. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church of West Building Fund.