~Visitation~
Was held 6:00 - 8:00 P.M.
Thursday, February 29, 2024
Mannford Funeral Home
170 Phelps Road
Mannford, Oklahoma 74044

~Funeral Service~
Was held at 11:00 A.M.
Friday, March 1, 2024
Mannford Funeral Home Chapel
170 Phelps Road
Mannford, Oklahoma 74044

Interment Followed...
Oak Hill Cemetery
Mannford, Oklahoma



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Memorial Gifts may be given to:
Keystone Volunteer Fire Department
25505 W. 41st St. S.
Sand Springs, OK 74063
in Bill's memory.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The following is lovingly written by Bill's family...

Bill "Willy" Nelson traded in his signature

well-worn overalls and OU Sooners hat for

his angel wings on February 26, 2024 at 79 years of age.

We're confident that Bill entered the gates of heaven hollering

"Boomer, Sooner!"

so he could find his people.

Born November 8, 1944, Bill spent his younger years

growing up in the Vinita and

Tulsa areas of Oklahoma

as the oldest son of William D. and Wanda Claire Nelson,

who preceded him in death.

Also preceding him in death

was his older sister,

Faye Remington (husband Raymond),

and younger brother,

David Nelson (surviving wife Karen).

He graduated from Tulsa Will Rogers High School in 1962

and enlisted in the US Navy.

He served four years on the

USS Hector stationed

in Japan as the ship barber,

which he said was

"the cushiest job on the ship."

Upon returning to Tulsa after his navy service,

Bill secured a job at American Airlines in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

He went on to be employed by American Airlines for 35 years

and was the

Supervisor of Shipping and Receiving

at the time of his retirement.

Bill is survived by many

cherished family members.

He leaves behind his wife, Linda Nelson,

who he affectionately called his "bride"

throughout their 41 years of marriage.

They made their home in

Sand Springs, Oklahoma.

He also leaves behind seven boys,

some with "brides" of their own

that Bill adored,

and a great-granddaughter –

all of whom were dear to his heart.

He was a loving Dad to his two sons,

Kevin Nelson (wife Janel) and

Kyle Collins (wife Julie),

and a tremendously proud and loving

"Grandad or Grandpa Bill"

to his five grandsons,

Brendon Collins (wife Jesseca),

Alex Collins (wife Ashlee),

Keegan Collins, Matt Nelson,

and Zach Nelson,

and great-granddaughter,

Noah Lynn Collins,

he finally got a girl!

He is also survived by

brothers and sisters-in-law,

Larry Collins (wife Jane),

Tommy Collins (wife Carol),

Stanley Collins (wife Joy),

and Mary Goodman (husband Erick)

along with many nieces and nephews.

Bill made his "bride" happy because he loved

the people most dear to her heart

- her kids and grandkids -

and he was always up for adventures

and eager to share life with her.

She admired and appreciated his

carefree and positive attitude

toward life in both joys and struggles.

Nothing seemed to rattle Bill –

even while facing multiple cancer battles.

He had special memories of the many trips

he took across the country

with his wife and extended family.

Some of the trips he most

enjoyed were with niece,

DeAnna Looper (husband Dean),

with whom he shared a close bond and love of OU sports.

Bill was a devout OU Sooners fan

with a particular love for football and softball.

He loved to talk OU sports with family, friends, and strangers alike.

He bonded with his sons and grandsons over OU sports

and was always ready to

celebrate OU victories or dissect OU defeats.

He took a few trips with son, Kyle,

and his grandsons to attend

OU football games and had a ball.

Bill spent his retirement years as a cattleman

eventually getting a grandson, Alex,

who was his kindred spirit

and little sidekick on cattle adventures.

He enjoyed his family and

was always eager to hear about their lives.

He knew he had to meet his busy

kids and grandkids where they were in life,

and he took an interest in what

was important to them.

He was always ready to

lend a helping hand to his son, Kevin,

with his pool business and son, Kyle,

with his antique and furniture business.

He watched with a huge smile on his face

as his grandkids participated

in basketball, ice hockey, and golf.

In Bill's later years,

he enjoyed his regular Braum's lunch dates

with his son, Kevin, always eager to hear

what his grandsons were up to in

college even though they chose that

other school, OSU, –

Grandpa Bill forgave them.

Aside from family and OU sports,

Bill loved his coffee –

it was rare to find him

without a coffee cup in his hands.

He always greeted his family with a smile

and hug along with his trademark

"What'da ya know, kid!"

Here's what we know –

you are loved and will be greatly missed.

Go rest high, Grandad –

we will take it from here.

Rest assured; we will be thinking of you

during every OU game -

Boomer Sooner!