Wilmer Ray Nelson

Wilmer “Bud” Ray Nelson Age 93, passed away November 7, 2015 at DePaul Hospital. “Bud” was born in Swanwick, Illinois on January 29, 1922 to the late Crawford and Laura (Stork) Nelson. He is survived by his wife Geraldine (Cobb) with whom he celebrated 67 years of marriage this past April; sister Norma Thies; children Barry Nelson of University City, MO, Charlie (Rhonda) Nelson of Jefferson City, MO, Karen (Greg) Rice of Florissant, MO, Rick Nelson of Fox Island, WA, Mike (Tina) Nelson of House Springs, MO; grandchildren Scott (Tammi) Nelson, Evan Nelson, Erin Nelson, John Nelson, Jaimi (Josh) Nash, Eric (Kayla) Nelson, Michael Rice, Leah Nelson and many nieces and nephews. In 1940 Bud worked as a carpenter and joined Carpenters Union, Local 185. This year marked his 75th anniversary as a member. Bud and his father, Crawford, spent 1941 in Panama building the Coco Solo Hospital where they contracted malaria but recovered once home. Bud volunteered for the U. S. Navy in October of 1942. Following his training as a Carpenter’s Mate specializing in repair and maintenance of Patrol-Torpedo (PT) Boats he was assigned to Navy Station Samoa, PT Base 7. He served at Guadalcanal, Little Florida Island, American Samoa, Fiji and Green Island now Nissan Island. Bud rotated back to the states being stationed at NTBSTC, Melville, Rhode Island until January 1946. Bud spent many years doing carpentry work building homes in the St. Louis area, then going to work for Martin Bloom and Associates as a Construction Superintendent until they closed. He worked for various commercial builders until retiring from Commerce Contracting in 1984. Bud spent his retirement years traveling, building boats, models, and anything his children or grandchildren wanted. He was a blessing to all those who knew him always ready with a joke, which he could rarely make it to the punchline without laughing. A graveside funeral service will be held Thursday, November 12, at 1:00pm at Memorial Park Cemetery and a memorial service will be held Saturday, November 14, with visitation at 11:00am and service at 12:00pm at Hutchens Mortuary. In lieu of flowers the family asks for donations to PT Boats, Inc. PO Box 38070, Germantown, TN, 38183 (ptboats.org) or New Life Evangelistic Center, St. Louis, MO.

Wilmer Ray Nelson

January 29, 1922 - November 7, 2015