He was born June 6, 1934, in Mancos to Thomas and Laura Nelson. Â
He attended grade school in Leadville and the Maysville country school. Â
Many of his later growing-up years were spent on ranches in the Salida area. Â
He graduated from Salida High School in 1952.
Mr. Nelson enlisted in the Navy, serving honorably from January 1953 to January 1957. Â
Most of that time was spent on a ship in the Pacific during the Korean War. Â
He returned to Salida where he met and married Nancy Henderson. They were married July 4, 1957. Â
Mr. Nelson worked at the Climax mine at that time. Â
The coupleâs first child, Sheryl, was born in Salida. Â
86, BV trustee served the rodeo for many years
William Lee Nelson, known as Bill, a long-time resident of Buena Vista, passed away peacefully at his home on April 30.
Bill was born to Thomas and Laura Nelson in Mancos, June 6, 1934. He attended grade school in Leadville and the Maysville country school. Many of his later growing-up years were spent on ranches in the Salida area. He graduated from Salida High School in 1952.
Bill then enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving honorably from 1953-57. Most of that time was spent on a ship in the Pacific during the Korean War.
He returned to Salida where he met and married Nancy Henderson, his wife of 63 years. They were married July 4, 1957. He worked at the Climax mine at that time.