William (Bill) A. Nelson, 87, of Pinehurst, North Carolina, died peacefully at his home surrounded by family on July 30, 2018 after valiantly fighting his battle with cancer.
Bill was born on August 29, 1930 in Syracuse, New York to William and Frances (O’Neil) Nelson. On August 20, 1955 he married his wife of 62 years, Kathleen Anne Byrne. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his sons William E. Nelson, MD; Robert Nelson (Oliver); Mark Nelson (Sharon); Kevin Nelson (JoAnne); Brendan Nelson; and his daughter Anne Nelson. He is also survived by his grandchildren Justin Nelson (Kerri); Kyle Nelson; Miranda Nelson; Sheridan Nelson; Felicia Zepp; Dylan Zepp; Dakota Nelson; and Parker Nelson; and his great-grandchildren Haley Nelson, Mason Nelson, Kendra Colon and Keira Serrani; as well as his brother Francis J. Nelson and sister Mary Bradbury.
Bill attended St. Anthony of Padua high school in Syracuse, NY. He graduated from Syracuse University (1954) where he was a three-sport varsity letter winner in soccer, basketball and baseball. He earned All-America honors in soccer and was invited to participate in the U.S. Olympic trials. Bill is a recipient of the Syracuse University Letter Winner of Distinction Award.
Bill lived life with the same winning attitude and zeal that brought him success as a top tier athlete. Through sports, education and otherwise, he was driven to help others succeed. After spending 15 years as a physical educator and coach at the secondary level in Seneca Falls and Sodus, NY, Bill became the first ever Director of Physical Education and Recreation at Harrisburg Area Community College (HACC), where he established the Pennsylvania Hardcourt Tennis Championship Tournament, drawing nationally and internationally ranked players, and lead the creation of the HACC Foundation Golf Tournament. In recognition of Bill’s leadership, the William A. Nelson Scholarship was established and is presented annually to a HACC student. Bill also served as a consultant for the National Golf Foundation, Director of Golf for the Chase Golf and Tennis Camps, and taught golf at The Kiski School summer golf program and at Pine Needles Golf Club in Southern Pines, NC. He assisted in the formation of the Hampden Township Youth Soccer program and was a founder of the Hampden Township Girls National Soccer Tournament, which was dedicated in his honor in 1986. He refereed NCAA collegiate soccer for 28 years, including 66 NCAA Championship games. Bill was honored by the City of Harrisburg, PA with the Mayors Award for Distinguished Public Service. Upon retiring, Bill became an international golf photographer and launched Highlander Golf, focusing on photographing the historic golf courses of Scotland and Ireland. He was a member of The Tin Whistles golfers in Pinehurst.
Bill served as a Eucharistic Minister at Good Shepherd Catholic Church, Camp Hill, PA and was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church Congregation in Pinehurst, where he regularly participated in the Perpetual Adoration Ministry.
Visitation will be held on Sunday August 5th from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Boles Funeral Home, Pinehurst, NC. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. on Monday August 6th at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Pinehurst, NC; followed by interment at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Cemetery, Southern Pines, NC. A reception will follow at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Founders Hall.
The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude for the kindness shared with our father and family from the Duke University Cancer Institute, First Health Hospice staff and the many acts of caring extended from the friends and neighbors of Pinehurst No. 6. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial contribution to: Duke Cancer Institute, Office of Development for Prostate Cancer Research, Care of Michele Cohen, at 710 W. Main Street, Suite 200, Durham, NC 27701 or First Health Hospice at 150 Applecross Road, Pinehurst, NC 28374.
Services are entrusted to Boles Funeral Home of Pinehurst.
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