William O. Nelson (Billy) entered into eternal life on Sept. 4, 2020 after contracting the Covid-19 virus. Billy was born May 27, 1924 in East Grand Forks.  His parents were William and Clara (Erickson) Nelson. He attended high school at Northwest School of Agriculture at Crookston, MN and graduated 1941. Billy was united in marriage to Carole Mellom in 1952. Together they were blessed with six children.

Billy started farming as a teenager and continued through adulthood. He raised grains and certified seed potatoes. During the winters he was employed in the potato industry; testing potatoes for Old Dutch and selling certified seed for local potato brokers.

He was a member of Our Saviors Lutheran Church, Red River Masonic Lodge and the Kem Temple Shrine. He served 37 years on the Sullivan Township board.

Billy was an avid hunter and fisherman and he loved the outdoors. Billy treasured his time spent at "the hunting shack" and going on hunting and fishing trips. He was happy to tell stories and share his expertise with family and friends.

When he retired from farming, he and Carole spent time traveling in the US and through Europe and Scandinavia.

Loving family members who survive Billy include his children: Dawn Fowler, Charmaine (Mike) Munt, and Bob Nelson, Brian (Michelle) Nelson, and Bruce (Kari) Nelson, daughter-in-law Beth Nelson, 10 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. Billy is preceded in death by his wife, Carole, son Bradley, parents, William and Clara Nelson and sister, Donnabelle Nelson.

Memorials may be given to the Red River Masonic Lodge #292 Scholarship fund and Valley Senior Living, GF. The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the compassionate staff that cared for Billy at Valley Senior Living. Blessed be the memory of Billy Nelson.

Graveside Service: 2:00 PM on Friday, September 18, 2020 at Resurrection Cemetery, East Grand Forks, MN. Social distancing and masks are required.