William Nelson

William (Bill) J. Nelson, 78 of South Bend, Indiana, formerly of Buchanan, died Tuesday August 9, 2011 at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center, Mishawaka, Indiana. He was born November 19, 1932 in Buchanan to the late William and Esther Peterson Nelson. He is survived by one daughter Bobett Kelley of Fort Wayne, Indiana; two sons William Nelson of Kalispell, Montana and Robert Nelson of Indianapolis, Indiana; two brothers Maurice Nelson of Kalamazoo, Michigan and David Nelson of Long Beach California, and four Grandchildren. Also surviving is his long time companion Irene Hay of South Bend. Bill graduated from Culver Military Academy in June 1951 and attended Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo. He was a member of the Niles Elks and Buchanan Moose Lodge. Bill was active in transportation, serving as a partner in the former Nelson Transfer which operated in Buchanan for over sixty years until 1984 and thereafter Bill operated in South Bend providing transportation services by rail for the Hummer and Postal Jeeps. A visitation will be held Thursday from 3-8 p.m. in the Swem Chapel Buchanan, Michigan. A service celebrating his life will be Friday at 10:30 a.m. also at Swem Chapel. Pastor Rob McPherson of First United Methodist Church will officiate. Burial will take place at Saint Joseph Valley Memorial Park in Granger, Indiana.Memorial Contributions in Bill's Memory may be made to the National Kidney Foundation of Michigan 1169 Oak Valley Drive, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48108-9674. Those wishing to leave a condolence message or sign his guest book may do so by visiting www.swemchapel.com