William Patrick Nelson, age 89, of Munson Township, passed away January 18, 2022. The youngest of three brothers, he was born to Cecille and Bert Nelson on Good Friday, March 25, 1932, and grew up in Dearborn, Michigan. Upon graduating from the University of Detroit Jesuit High, he received a mechanical engineering degree from the University of Notre Dame and was a devoted, lifelong fan of Notre Dame football. After college, he served in the United States Navy during the Korean War era. In 1960, he married the love of his life Helen O’Connor who he would remain married to for almost 60 years. Together, they raised nine children and moved across the country to wherever his career would take them. Initially moving to California, his interesting career involved work in the advent of the semiconductor computer chip, the first automotive airbags, communication instruments for the Apollo space program, Landsat satellites, the Star Wars Space program, and the Hubble telescope. He also managed a data processing project for the Reagan Administration, developed one of the original credit agency’s databases and eventually retired as Director of Information Resources for Science and Technology at TRW in 1993. Throughout his career, he found time to serve his community coaching Little League sports, serving on local School boards, Library boards, and Parish Councils. His interests included traveling the Great Lakes region, enjoying nature and gardening, and reading and collecting predominantly orthodox Catholic books. He loved to tell stories and talk government and Church politics, often harshly criticizing the current state of affairs in both. He found great joy in his family, whether babysitting his grandchildren or being introduced to his latest newborn great grandchild.
He was preceded in death by his wife Helen (nee: O’Connor), daughter Janet Gullo and granddaughter Cecilia Gullo, parents Cecille and Bert Nelson, older brother Bruce (Shirley) Nelson and several in-laws. He is survived by his children: Mary (Doug) Pruneau, Bill (Lisa) Nelson, Susan (Jeff) Young, Karen (Kevin) Koski, David (Natalie) Nelson, Terry (Christine) Nelson, Joseph Nelson and Michael Nelson, son-in-law Timothy Gullo, older brother Tom (Linda) Nelson, 22 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren and many in-laws, nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested towards a Purgatorial society of your choice or simply having a Traditional Latin Mass said for the repose of his soul.
The family will receive friends on Friday, January 28, 2022, at The Burr Funeral Home, 116 South St, Chardon, 5:00 to 8:00 P.M. A Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Monday, January 31, 2022, at the Assumption Grotto Church, 13770 Gratiot Ave, Detroit, Michigan, 48205. Burial will follow at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, 25800 W 10 Mile Rd, Southfield, MI 48033 at 1:00 P.M.
Arrangements made by the Burr Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Chardon, Ohio.
Information and condolences on-line at www.burrservice.com.