- Date Of Birth: October 26, 1937
- Date Of Death: October 1, 2020
- State: California
William “Bill” Clarence Nielsen passed away peacefully at home in the early morning of October 1, 2020, in the company of his beloved son David, after complications from a staph infection and organ failure. He was born in Visalia, California on October 26, 1937 and was the first son of Clarence and Nourhalma “Nourie” (Springer) Nielsen.
He attended Exeter Schools, was a member of the Cub and Boy Scouts of America, and while attending Exeter High School, participated in band, basketball, and football. He often spoke of the honor he had playing football alongside local legend Kenny Guinn. Bill graduated Exeter High School in 1955, earning Life CSF and the Bank of America Math Award. He received his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Fresno State College in 1959. Bill was a member and treasurer of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity. He also served in the National Guard for two years, stationed at Fort Ord, Monterey, California. He married Charlene Gay Brooks of Dinuba in 1960 and then worked for the Insurance Company of North America (INA) in San Jose, California. Bill and Charlene settled in Exeter in 1964 to begin their family, and Bill joined his father Clarence at the Nielsen & Eddy Insurance Agency.
In 1974 when his father retired from the insurance industry, Bill put together the merger between Nielsen & Eddy and Sellars & Sons agencies, to form NSE Insurance Agencies.
Bill was instrumental in the development of insurance contracts for the crop insurance industry. After the local 1990 freeze, he designed a special freeze policy for packing houses that is still written today.
EUHS Alumni of the Year in 2017.
Bill enjoyed snow and water skiing and taught his kids to become accomplished skiers as well. He also taught many others to enjoy water skiing. Additionally, fly-fishing, tennis and snowmobiling were favorite past times.
Bill was preceded in death by his son Eric William Nielsen, his father Clarence, and mother Nourie. Bill had a huge heart for his family. He was very thankful for and proud of his children and grandchildren. He is survived by his brother Nick Nielsen and wife Jane; daughter Laura Nielsen Miller and husband Terry Miller; daughter Julie Nielsen Helmbrecht and husband Mark Helmbrecht; son David William Nielsen and wife Tiffany; grandson Alexander Workman and wife Destinee, granddaughter Lynn Workman Beedle and husband Curtis Beedle, grandson Andrew Workman, grandson Maxwell Helmbrecht, granddaughter Anya Helmbrecht and granddaughters Elise and Audrey Miller.
