Kern County Obituaries

William (Bill) Nelson

Submitted by Don Stowell; 13 Feb 2008

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Source Unknown; Date Unknown

William (Bill) Nelson, a respected citizen of Boron, California for almost 34 years, died on the evening of November 2.
Bill was born on June 7, 1930 in Lafayette, Colorado as an addition to his family of Abbie and Carrie Nelson,' parents, and 
Maxine, his sister. He grew up in Lafayette and graduated from Lafayette High School in 1948.
After high school, Bill served his country in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict. He continued to support the armed 
services as a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, post 1771 in Lafayette, since 1955.
In 1960 Bill graduated from the University of Denver with a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry and education as a 
minor. He continued his education throughout his life in the fields of industrial safety, chemistry and quality control.
On September 11, 1954, Bill married Helen Jean Barry of Denver, Colorado. She remained his loyal spouse for over 46 
years. They had two children, William Albin and Diana Marie.
In March of 1967, Bill moved his family to Boron, California to start work for U.S. Borax, which remained his home until 
his death.
His vast knowledge and experience served a variety of employers and occupations. He was a high school chemistry teacher, 
insurance salesman, chemist, industrial hygienist, safety coordinator, and quality control inspector. His ideas and designs are 
still in use to this day in many of the organizations he has worked.
His last occupation and the most rewarding for him, was Independent Living Skills instructor for developmentally disabled 
adults. "His boys", as he called them, kept him challenged and enlightened his final days.
Bill took pride in his community and church. He served on the Air Quality Control Board, ran for the Muroc Joint Unified 
School Board, was a co-founder and actor with the Muroc Community Theater and Lector and Usher for Saint Joseph's Catholic 
Church.
He is survived by his spouse, Helen (Barry) Nelson of Boron, CA; his son, William Albin Nelson of Bakersfield, CA; his 
daughter, Diana Marie Nelson of Boron, CA; his sister, Maxine (Nelson) Spruce of Broomfield, CO; his five grandchildren, 
Amber Marie Heredia of Fort Polk, LA; Constance Nelson, William A. Nelson II, lan Nelson of California City, CA; and 
Elena Nelson of Boron, CA; many nieces, nephews, and friends. Bill's mother, Caroline (Schwieger), and his father, Carl 
Albin Nelson, preceded him in death.
Bill never met a stranger or enemy, only a new friend. He will be truly missed by all.