WILLIAM "WILD BILL" NELSON

Wasilla resident William "Wild Bill" Nelson, 67, died Dec. 25, 2004, at an assisted living home in Wasilla.

A memorial service and celebration of his life was held at 7 p.m. Monday at First Presbyterian Church of Wasilla. His surviving children asked those attending to bring a written story and any copies of pictures of their father so a scrapbook can be compiled.

Mr. Nelson was born Jan. 6, 1937, in Palmer, and spent his lifetime in the Mat-Su.

His family wrote, "Wild Bill was one of the most charismatic and colorful personalities of the Matanuska-Susitna Valley. In addition to building several of the establishments and roads in the Valley, he also had been a bush pilot, inventor, miner, businessman and choir director at Carrs of Wasilla. He had a unique way of expressing his opinions, which added to his charm. Always the flirt, his warm greetings, grin and laugh lit up any room. Some would call him a legend in his own right. He was adored by his friends and considered them family. His generosity and compassion were well-known and he contributed many hours to make sure no person went hungry."

He is survived by his children, Verlie Michelle Nelson, John Travis Nelson, Valerie Cox, Jason Nelson, Samuel Moses Nelson and Michael Nelson and a grandchild, Zachary.

Arrangements were made by Valley Funeral Home & Crematory.