Willard Nelson

Willard Edwin Nelson August 17, 1917 – November 27, 2013
Willard Edwin Nelson passed away Nov. 27, 2013 of natural causes. He is survived by the love of his life for 73 years, Verda Stoker Nelson who he wed Oct. 3, 1940. They were later sealed in the Salt Lake LDS Temple and started their family in Ogden, UT. Their children are Nadine Nelson Allen (Terry), Bountiful; Steven Arthur Nelson (Tamara), Draper; Neil Stoker Nelson (Patricia), Pleasanton, CA; Diana Nelson Gray (John Morgan), Pleasant Grove; Toni Nelson Myers (Larry Maurice), SLC; Susan Nelson Jarvis (Seth Nicholas), SLC; Heidi Nelson Jenkins (John Richard), SLC; and Paul Eugene Wiseman (Toni), SLC. Their posterity includes 30 grandchildren and 76 great-grandchildren. Willard was the oldest child born August 17, 1917 to Arthur Lewis Nelson and Magdalena Stucki Nelson of Coltman, Idaho. He was preceded in death by his parents, Dennis Nelson (brother), and Delores Nelson Hansen & Dorothy Nelson Forkner (sisters), sisters-in-law, Mae Nelson and JoAnn Nelson and son-in-law, Jim Wiseman. His surviving brothers are Oren (Liz), Emery, Dalmas of SLC, and Arlen Nelson (Marie) of Murray, UT. He also has a sister-in-law, LaNae Dalton.

Raised on a farm 10 miles north of Idaho Falls and in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he attended Fairview Elementary and graduated in 1935 from Ucon High School where he was valedictorian. In 1938 he moved to Utah, graduated from LDS Business College in SLC, and also attended the University of Utah and Weber State College. Passing the Civil Service exam as 8th of 2000, he was accepted as the youngest mail clerk in the Railway Mail Service west of the Mississippi. He worked for this Postal Transport Service for 27 years on the “City of San Francisco” train from Ogden to Lovelock, Nevada, retiring 1967. During WWII he served as a Navy mail clerk in San Diego for 18 months and later on “Eniwetok” in the Marshall Islands of the South Pacific for three years until 1945. In 1945 Willard and his brothers formed Nelson Brothers Construction Company. Nelson Bros. Equities was his personal apartment business with over 45 units including multiple dwellings where he enjoyed renters, building housing, and remodeling older homes in the Salt Lake area. The family moved to SLC in 1955 from Ogden, last residing at Sunrise Senior Living.

Willard was a very dedicated home teacher and served his callings in the LDS Church enjoying the people he served. To know Willard was to see a man with intelligence, kindness, generosity, a sense of humor, and very timely wit where he delighted us all. He loved music, history, politics, geography, current events and people. His life focused on country, family, and being involved in the community. He was active in the Utah Apt. Assoc., United Nations Assoc., America Legion, VFW Post 112, Neighborhood Watch, and supporting his family and grandchildren’s activities. With his family, friends, and extended family, he enjoyed socializing while water/snow skiing, owning several boats, river rafting, fishing & camping, cruising and traveling all over the world. Dad loved his brother’s play reading groups, square dancing with his sweetheart, cultural events and the arts. We will truly miss the late night ice cream breaks and visits.

We thank Inspiration Hospice & Danville Support Services for their dedicated service. Also, the Utah Lion’s Eye Bank for receiving Dad’s eyes for research and ask that donations be given in lieu of flowers to the “John A. Moran Eye Center for Translational Medicine (CMT)” at University of Utah. (URL: https://unmarket2.utah.edu/uguve/index.php?gift_id=179&parent_id=40).
A viewing will be held Friday Nov. 29, 6:00-8:00 PM at Russon Brothers Mortuary, 225 South 200 East, Salt Lake City. Funeral services will be held Saturday Nov. 30, 2013 at 11:00 AM in the LDS Foothill Stake Center, 1932 South 2100 East, Salt Lake City following a viewing 9:30-10:30 AM. Interment will be a
3:00 PM at Roy Stoker Memorial Cemetery 5200 South 2300 West, Roy City, Utah. Online guestbook available at www.russonmortuary.com.

To Know Willard
To know Willard was to know a masterful storyteller and the master of the perfectly-timed and perfectly-placed one-liner jokes. Willard would often end a story or joke with a chuckle, his hands raised, and his now-classic, “That’s a joke, you know.” In the early morning hours of November 27, 2013, Willard Edwin Nelson, with his characteristic grace, good humor and sharp wit, slipped peacefully from this earthly existence, surrounded by much love and very tender feelings.
To know Willard was to know a man of loyalty, honor, intelligence, honesty, hard work, generosity and love. Willard exhibited a genuine interest for all who he met. He was an expert listener. Once you met Willard and shared something about yourself with him, you were never forgotten. He was a master at making one feel at ease, important, and accepted.
To know Willard was to know how he loved his wife of 73 years, his “Sugar,” Verda Stoker. Verda was his constant companion, his business partner, his traveling companion, his dance partner, his sweetheart, his rock.
To know Willard was to know how he loved and valued each of his children and delighted in their talents, accomplishments and successes. That same love for his children encompassed all of his sons- and daughters-in-laws, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Willard was all smiles and at his happiest when he could be with his family. They were his greatest legacy and greatest joy.
To know Willard was to know of his great love and loyalty to his parents, Arthur Louis Nelson and Magdalena Stucki, and to his large family of five brothers, and two sisters. Born August 17, 1917, in Coltman, Idaho, in a log cabin with no running water or electricity, Willard was the oldest child and set the example of honoring and caring for his parents and helping with his younger siblings. Willard came from a very large, extended family, not only on the Nelson side, but on the Stoker side as well. He loved every one. He loved gathering and socializing. He loved the family reunions. He understood the importance of family. Willard and Verda opened their home always to whoever needed a place to stay. They were considered “Mom and Dad” by many, and they included and invited many into their home and into their family.
To know Willard was to know how he loved his country and served proudly in the United States Navy during World War II from 1942-1945. He was stationed on the small island of Enewetok in the South Pacific and, as a mail clerk, sorted mail to be sent to soldiers and sailors serving throughout the world.
To know Willard was to know he was a hard worker. Along with several of his brothers, he was instrumental in establishing Nelson Bros. Construction Company, and several other smaller companies. He also created his own construction and real estate business, Nelson Equities. He retired from the United States Postal Service, after working for 17 years as a railway mail carrier. He sorted mail on the train as it traveled from Ogden, Utah to Lovelock, Nevada and back to Ogden. To know Willard was to know he knew the name of every small town between Ogden and Lovelock!
To know Willard was to know he loved history, politics, geography, traveling, current events and people. He loved discussing ideas and philosophies. He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and served quietly and often behind-the-scenes in church callings and was a loyal and faithful home teacher. He was a member of several civic and community organizations, including United Nations, Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion and Neighborhood Watch.
To know Willard was to know fun and adventure. Along with Verda, he enjoyed square dancing, play reading groups, fishing, Yellowstone, boating, skiing, cultural events, singing, music of all kinds, get-togethers, eating (especially ice cream and a little bread with his jam), and eating out, especially breakfast at Denny’s, although he often commented he was “not very hungry.”
Willard was a great supporter of the arts and with Verda regularly attended the theatre and the ballet, enjoying and taking in every moment. It was often more entertaining to watch Willard being entertained, than it was to watch the entertainment! Life and everything in it was exciting to Willard!
To know Willard was to know he was a “character” in the best sense of the word. He always carried brown jersey gloves. He gave the “okay” sign not with just one hand, but two. He wore big galoshes over his boots and typed one-page “Speed Letters” on his manual typewriter. He was always anxious to share his “show-and-tell” for the day, which he kept folded in his front shirt pocket. He wore a necktie for every holiday or special occasion and tucked it between the buttons of his shirt whenever he ate. To everyone’s surprise, he changed his political party and became a Democrat after being a life-long Republican!
To know Willard was to know “the Golden Arches” of McDonald’s. For many years, each afternoon he met friends and family at McDonald’s for his “board of directors’ meeting.” It’s no joke how he loved those meetings! He and his “board members” at McDonald’s were featured twice in articles in the Salt Lake Tribune.
To know Willard was to know how he loved traveling. He and Verda traveled the world and loved every minute of it. Willard loved studying the history and culture of the places they traveled and loved to share all he had learned. Often they traveled with family or friends, inviting others to come along and share in the excitement. He and Verda were out traveling as recently as September, enjoying yet another great adventure together.
To know Willard was to know of his postcards! He was grateful not only for the bigger things in life, but for the small things: for visits, treats, rides, gifts, and phone calls. Sending postcards was his special way of saying “thanks.” Everyone has a postcard from Willard!
To know Willard was to know how hard it was to say good-bye. Willard loved company and attempted to extend any visit a few minutes longer by telling just one more story or sharing just one more memory. While living on Blaine Avenue, it was customary for Willard to end a visit by following you down the back stairs to your car, still talking, and as the car started down the driveway, patting his hand on the hood of the car, smiling and waving as he called after you, “Don’t take any wooden nickels.”
So, after 96 very full and well-lived years, Willard has said his last good-byes, shared his last memories, and told his last jokes. In true Willard-form to the end, he offered some final, sound advice to us all, “keep breathing.”
To know Willard was to know an amazing man, a truly one-of-a-kind individual , who loved his family, his country and people. He loved to laugh and loved a good joke and a good story. Willard simply loved life. And because he loved so much and loved so many, he was loved much in return.
And so we say to Willard, who was husband, father, brother, grandpa, great-grandpa, uncle, cousin, and friend: Willard, you will be missed!
AND THAT’S NO JOKE, YOU KNOW!!!!

Willard Edwin Nelson August 17, 1917 – November 27, 2013
Willard Edwin Nelson passed away Nov. 27, 2013 of natural causes. He is survived by the love of his life for 73 years, Verda Stoker Nelson who he wed Oct. 3, 1940. They were later sealed in the Salt Lake LDS Temple and started their family in Ogden, UT. Their children are Nadine Nelson Allen (Terry), Bountiful; Steven Arthur Nelson (Tamara), Draper; Neil Stoker Nelson (Patricia), Pleasanton, CA; Diana Nelson Gray (John Morgan), Pleasant Grove; Toni Nelson Myers (Larry Maurice), SLC; Susan Nelson Jarvis (Seth Nicholas), SLC; Heidi Nelson Jenkins (John Richard), SLC; and Paul Eugene Wiseman (Toni), SLC. Their posterity includes 30 grandchildren and 76 great-grandchildren. Willard was the oldest child born August 17, 1917 to Arthur Lewis Nelson and Magdalena Stucki Nelson of Coltman, Idaho. He was preceded in death by his parents, Dennis Nelson (brother), and Delores Nelson Hansen & Dorothy Nelson Forkner (sisters), sisters-in-law, Mae Nelson and JoAnn Nelson and son-in-law, Jim Wiseman. His surviving brothers are Oren (Liz), Emery, Dalmas of SLC, and Arlen Nelson (Marie) of Murray, UT. He also has a sister-in-law, LaNae Dalton.

Raised on a farm 10 miles north of Idaho Falls and in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he attended Fairview Elementary and graduated in 1935 from Ucon High School where he was valedictorian. In 1938 he moved to Utah, graduated from LDS Business College in SLC, and also attended the University of Utah and Weber State College. Passing the Civil Service exam as 8th of 2000, he was accepted as the youngest mail clerk in the Railway Mail Service west of the Mississippi. He worked for this Postal Transport Service for 27 years on the “City of San Francisco” train from Ogden to Lovelock, Nevada, retiring 1967. During WWII he served as a Navy mail clerk in San Diego for 18 months and later on “Eniwetok” in the Marshall Islands of the South Pacific for three years until 1945. In 1945 Willard and his brothers formed Nelson Brothers Construction Company. Nelson Bros. Equities was his personal apartment business with over 45 units including multiple dwellings where he enjoyed renters, building housing, and remodeling older homes in the Salt Lake area. The family moved to SLC in 1955 from Ogden, last residing at Sunrise Senior Living.

Willard was a very dedicated home teacher and served his callings in the LDS Church enjoying the people he served. To know Willard was to see a man with intelligence, kindness, generosity, a sense of humor, and very timely wit where he delighted us all. He loved music, history, politics, geography, current events and people. His life focused on country, family, and being involved in the community. He was active in the Utah Apt. Assoc., United Nations Assoc., America Legion, VFW Post 112, Neighborhood Watch, and supporting his family and grandchildren’s activities. With his family, friends, and extended family, he enjoyed socializing while water/snow skiing, owning several boats, river rafting, fishing & camping, cruising and traveling all over the world. Dad loved his brother’s play reading groups, square dancing with his sweetheart, cultural events and the arts. We will truly miss the late night ice cream breaks and visits.

We thank Inspiration Hospice & Danville Support Services for their dedicated service. Also, the Utah Lion’s Eye Bank for receiving Dad’s eyes for research and ask that donations be given in lieu of flowers to the “John A. Moran Eye Center for Translational Medicine (CMT)” at University of Utah. (URL: https://unmarket2.utah.edu/uguve/index.php?gift_id=179&parent_id=40).
A viewing will be held Friday Nov. 29, 6:00-8:00 PM at Russon Brothers Mortuary, 225 South 200 East, Salt Lake City. Funeral services will be held Saturday Nov. 30, 2013 at 11:00 AM in the LDS Foothill Stake Center, 1932 South 2100 East, Salt Lake City following a viewing 9:30-10:30 AM. Interment will be a
3:00 PM at Roy Stoker Memorial Cemetery 5200 South 2300 West, Roy City, Utah. Online guestbook available at www.russonmortuary.com.

To Know Willard
To know Willard was to know a masterful storyteller and the master of the perfectly-timed and perfectly-placed one-liner jokes. Willard would often end a story or joke with a chuckle, his hands raised, and his now-classic, “That’s a joke, you know.” In the early morning hours of November 27, 2013, Willard Edwin Nelson, with his characteristic grace, good humor and sharp wit, slipped peacefully from this earthly existence, surrounded by much love and very tender feelings.
To know Willard was to know a man of loyalty, honor, intelligence, honesty, hard work, generosity and love. Willard exhibited a genuine interest for all who he met. He was an expert listener. Once you met Willard and shared something about yourself with him, you were never forgotten. He was a master at making one feel at ease, important, and accepted.
To know Willard was to know how he loved his wife of 73 years, his “Sugar,” Verda Stoker. Verda was his constant companion, his business partner, his traveling companion, his dance partner, his sweetheart, his rock.
To know Willard was to know how he loved and valued each of his children and delighted in their talents, accomplishments and successes. That same love for his children encompassed all of his sons- and daughters-in-laws, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Willard was all smiles and at his happiest when he could be with his family. They were his greatest legacy and greatest joy.
To know Willard was to know of his great love and loyalty to his parents, Arthur Louis Nelson and Magdalena Stucki, and to his large family of five brothers, and two sisters. Born August 17, 1917, in Coltman, Idaho, in a log cabin with no running water or electricity, Willard was the oldest child and set the example of honoring and caring for his parents and helping with his younger siblings. Willard came from a very large, extended family, not only on the Nelson side, but on the Stoker side as well. He loved every one. He loved gathering and socializing. He loved the family reunions. He understood the importance of family. Willard and Verda opened their home always to whoever needed a place to stay. They were considered “Mom and Dad” by many, and they included and invited many into their home and into their family.
To know Willard was to know how he loved his country and served proudly in the United States Navy during World War II from 1942-1945. He was stationed on the small island of Enewetok in the South Pacific and, as a mail clerk, sorted mail to be sent to soldiers and sailors serving throughout the world.
To know Willard was to know he was a hard worker. Along with several of his brothers, he was instrumental in establishing Nelson Bros. Construction Company, and several other smaller companies. He also created his own construction and real estate business, Nelson Equities. He retired from the United States Postal Service, after working for 17 years as a railway mail carrier. He sorted mail on the train as it traveled from Ogden, Utah to Lovelock, Nevada and back to Ogden. To know Willard was to know he knew the name of every small town between Ogden and Lovelock!
To know Willard was to know he loved history, politics, geography, traveling, current events and people. He loved discussing ideas and philosophies. He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and served quietly and often behind-the-scenes in church callings and was a loyal and faithful home teacher. He was a member of several civic and community organizations, including United Nations, Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion and Neighborhood Watch.
To know Willard was to know fun and adventure. Along with Verda, he enjoyed square dancing, play reading groups, fishing, Yellowstone, boating, skiing, cultural events, singing, music of all kinds, get-togethers, eating (especially ice cream and a little bread with his jam), and eating out, especially breakfast at Denny’s, although he often commented he was “not very hungry.”
Willard was a great supporter of the arts and with Verda regularly attended the theatre and the ballet, enjoying and taking in every moment. It was often more entertaining to watch Willard being entertained, than it was to watch the entertainment! Life and everything in it was exciting to Willard!
To know Willard was to know he was a “character” in the best sense of the word. He always carried brown jersey gloves. He gave the “okay” sign not with just one hand, but two. He wore big galoshes over his boots and typed one-page “Speed Letters” on his manual typewriter. He was always anxious to share his “show-and-tell” for the day, which he kept folded in his front shirt pocket. He wore a necktie for every holiday or special occasion and tucked it between the buttons of his shirt whenever he ate. To everyone’s surprise, he changed his political party and became a Democrat after being a life-long Republican!
To know Willard was to know “the Golden Arches” of McDonald’s. For many years, each afternoon he met friends and family at McDonald’s for his “board of directors’ meeting.” It’s no joke how he loved those meetings! He and his “board members” at McDonald’s were featured twice in articles in the Salt Lake Tribune.
To know Willard was to know how he loved traveling. He and Verda traveled the world and loved every minute of it. Willard loved studying the history and culture of the places they traveled and loved to share all he had learned. Often they traveled with family or friends, inviting others to come along and share in the excitement. He and Verda were out traveling as recently as September, enjoying yet another great adventure together.
To know Willard was to know of his postcards! He was grateful not only for the bigger things in life, but for the small things: for visits, treats, rides, gifts, and phone calls. Sending postcards was his special way of saying “thanks.” Everyone has a postcard from Willard!
To know Willard was to know how hard it was to say good-bye. Willard loved company and attempted to extend any visit a few minutes longer by telling just one more story or sharing just one more memory. While living on Blaine Avenue, it was customary for Willard to end a visit by following you down the back stairs to your car, still talking, and as the car started down the driveway, patting his hand on the hood of the car, smiling and waving as he called after you, “Don’t take any wooden nickels.”
So, after 96 very full and well-lived years, Willard has said his last good-byes, shared his last memories, and told his last jokes. In true Willard-form to the end, he offered some final, sound advice to us all, “keep breathing.”
To know Willard was to know an amazing man, a truly one-of-a-kind individual , who loved his family, his country and people. He loved to laugh and loved a good joke and a good story. Willard simply loved life. And because he loved so much and loved so many, he was loved much in return.
And so we say to Willard, who was husband, father, brother, grandpa, great-grandpa, uncle, cousin, and friend: Willard, you will be missed!
AND THAT’S NO JOKE, YOU KNOW!!!!