William Francis Nelson

William Francis Nelson was born on April 1st, 1948 in Davenport, Iowa, to Dorothy & Elmer Nelson. He grew up with his older sister Kathryn and younger brother Dwight in Rock Island, Illinois. The family would go on camping trips and fishing trips. Graduating from Rock Island High School in 1966 and shortly after would enlist in the United States Army for the Vietnam War. After being deployed to Vietnam for one tour PVT E1 Nelson was Honorably Discharged in July of 1968. He would move to Denver, Colorado and found a job at COBE Labs working in the chemical room. He found his permanent church home at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in 1972 where he would commit his life to helping others find GOD and serving those who could no longer attend church because of health reasons.

Bill met his future wife Eloise at COBE Labs in 1974 and after a short courtship they were married on October 11th, 1975 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church. Bill grew up watching the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team and went to the World Series in 1987 with his brother Dwight to see two home wins. With his son Michael they made numerous trips to St. Louis to watch the Cardinals play and to Coors Field many times to watch the Cardinals play the Rockies. As a family the Nelsons took many summer vacations together visiting Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon, Disneyland, Sea World, New York City, Disneyworld and Mt. Rushmore. Bill & Eloise went on multiple cruises to Alaska, the Panama Canal, Hawaii and up the east coast.

He is survived by his wife Eloise; daughter Robin; son Michael; granddaughter Brittanny; son-in-law Tom.

Memorial Service Friday, November 13, 2026, 1:00 pm, Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 2100 Wadsworth Blvd., Lakewood, CO 80214.