Nelson, William J. "Billy" 1875-1953

NELSON, CAMPBELL, SWEZEY, ANDERSON

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes
Date: 6/20/2017 at 18:58:10

The Grinnell (IA) Herald-Register
Nov. 1953

'BILLY' NELSON
DIES TODAY
AT AGE OF 78

Rites to Be Wednesday;
Former Merchant, Mayor,
Postmaster Here

A former Grinnell merchant, postmaster and mayor, William J. (Billy) Nelson, 78, died at a local hospital at 8:30 a.m. today after an illness of several years.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday at 2 p.m. The Rev. C.E. Kingsley will conduct the rites and burial will be in Hazelwood cemetery.

Nelson formerly operated a large double-front grocery and dry goods store in the locations now occupied by the Danish Maid bakery and Western Auto store. He was postmaster for six years prior to Wilford Smiley's tenure and also served the city as mayor.

A lifetime resident of Grinnell, Nelson was born here June 23, 1875, the son of Samuel Nelson and Annie Campbell. He was married Aug. 19, 1925, in Chicago, to Ada Swezey, who survives.

Also surviving are a daughter, Mrs. Vernon J. (Mary Ann) Anderson of Englewood, Colo., and two sisters, Grace and Harriett Nelson of Grinnell.

Nelson was a member of the Baptist church.