Walter O. Nelson, 90, of Bradford, formerly of Crosby and Smethport, passed away Sunday, August 31, 2014, surrounded by his loving family, at Bradford Regional Medical Center.
Born November 16, 1923 in Hazel Hurst, he was a son of the late Arthur and Esther (Hudson) Nelson.
On August 7, 1948 in Smethport, he married Phyllis M. (Fuller) Nelson, who passed away August 5, 1994.
He enlisted in the U.S. Army April 6, 1943 and served during World War II as a 4th Grade Technician with the 307th Airborne Engineer Batallion. He was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, European-African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with 3 bronze stars, 1 bronze arrowhead, WWII Victory Medal, The Belgium Fourraguerre and the Orde De Willem. He was honorably discharged January 16, 1946.
He was employed by Kaul Clay Products in Clermont, Marsh's Garage in Crosby, The Pennsylvania Deptartment of Transportation in Mt. Alton and Pennsylvania Pressed Metals in Emporium until his retirement in 1986.
He is survived by four daughters, Dianne Button and Chris Burlingame of Bradford, Lori Nelson, of Alpharetta, GA and Jackie Nelson of Bradford; one son, Walter L. Nelson, of Norcross, GA; ten grandchildren, Lisa, Kerry, Helen, Olivia, Greg, Lindsey, Andy, Tyler, Kyle and Jason; twelve great grandchildren and was blessed with his first great great grandson on Aug 30, 2014. He is also survived by a brother, Howard Nelson of Smethport and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by one sister, five brothers and two great grandsons.
Friends are invited to call from 5-8 PM, Thursday September 4, 2014 in the Hollenbeck-Cahill Funeral Homes, Inc., South Ave., where funeral services will be held at 11 AM Friday, September 5, 2014 with Rev. Tom Verner, Pastor of the First United Methodist Church, officiating. Committal services and burial will follow in Bridgeview Cemetery in Mt. Jewett with full military honors accorded.
Memorials, if desired, may be made to the American Legion, John Berg Post #976, PO Box 88, Crosby, PA 16724, the VFW Post 2497, PO Box 16, Smethport, PA 16749 or to a charity of the donor's choice.
Online condolences may be made at www.hollenbeckcahill.com