- Date Of Birth: October 25, 1926
- Date Of Death: November 8, 2009
- State: California
Bill was raised in Santa Maria, California. He attended Santa Maria High School where he was student body president and graduated in 1944. He moved to Kern County in 1955 and worked as a multi-craft mechanic for Union Oil Company for 35 years. Bill was a big fan of the theater, an excellent camper and enjoyed traveling around the world with his beautiful bride, Marjorie. He served in the U.S. Navy in 1944. His wide-ranging interests included the following: a Master of Taft-Midway Masonic Lodge #426 in 1979, Bakersfield Scottish Rite, Al Malaikah Shriners, Mizpah Chapter 97 Eastern Star, three-time Past Patron of the Taft Chapter, 60+ year member of Memolay and Petroleum Production Pioneers. Bill is preceded in death by his parents, Oliver and Corella Nelson and sister, Katie Feland. He is survived by his wife, Marjorie; sister, Vivian and Phil Maniaci; brothers, Oliver and Shirley Nelson and Art and Betty Nelson. Surviving daughters include Chris and Jerry Kaufman, Jan and Tony Ferguson and Jody and Barry Hanson. Surviving sons include Bill and Elizabeth Nelson and Bob Nelson. Surviving grandchildren include Traci and Tom Davey, Natalie and Kenny Durban, Katie and Danny Morris, James Cory Ferguson, Elise and Leo Silva, Melissa and Spencer Woolley, William Oliver Nelson, John Nelson, Nicholas Nelson and Emily Nelson. Surviving great-grandchildren include KC, Courtney, Kendall and Peyton; and honorary daughter, Gabriella and family; and numerous nieces and nephews. Bill knew how to bring a smile to everyone and had a joke for everyone he met.
