William A. Nelson

William A. Nelson, 87, of Riverside Dr. in Morganton died Tuesday, December 14, 2010 at Burke Palliative Care Center in Valdese. Born April 4, 1923 in Brooklyn, New York, William was a son of the late Thomas Sanford Nelson and Ruth Mercer Nelson. He was a US Navy veteran of World War II, and a member of St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church. Bill was the Vice-President of Sales and Marketing at Drexel-Heritage Furnishings Company where he worked for 27 years. He developed the Drexel-Heritage store program. Bill was an avid golfer, and was a member of both the Mimosa Hills Golf Club and the Grandfather Golf and Country Club. He was also a devoted Notre Dame Football fan.Bill is survived by his wife of 65 years, Rosemary Linehan Nelson of the home; children, William A. Nelson, Jr. and wife, Sharon of Canton, GA, Thomas J. Nelson and wife, Sharon of Cincinnati, OH, Barbara Sproles of Deerfield Beach, FL, and Elizabeth Wilson and husband, Nathan of Morganton; grandchildren, Kimberly N. Fulton and husband, Darrick of O’Fallon, MO, Katherine N. Landcaster and husband, Todd of Oxford, MI, Thomas J. Nelson, Jr. and wife, Julia of Birmingham, AL, William Asher Nelson, III and wife, Andrea of Seattle, Washington, Alison B. Nelson and Heather S. Nelson, both of Canton, GA, and Lori N. Wilson and husband, Bill of Bossier City, LA; and nine great-grandchildren.In addition to his parents, William was preceded in death by brothers, Timothy and Raymond Nelson.A funeral mass will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, December 18, 2010 at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church with Father Kenneth Whittington officiating. Burial will follow at Forest Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the church one hour before the service. Memorial contributions may be made to Burke Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc., 1721 Enon Rd., Valdese, NC 28690. Sossoman Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements.