Rasmus William (Bill) Nelson

Rasmus William Nelson passed away on Saturday December 14, 2024 in Layton, Utah at the age of 93. He was born in Logan, Utah on May 23, 1931 to Rasmus K Nelson and Zula Jensen. Though Bill was born in Logan he was raised on a farm east of Montpelier, Idaho in Bear Lake County. He never lost his love for Bear Lake and the farm. “You can take the boy off the farm, but you can’t take the farm out of the boy”.

 He raised steers for FFA projects and received a small scholarship to the University of Idaho where he received his Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Engineering. He also met his wife there while they were both attending school. After graduating they moved to Boise, Idaho in 1954 where he worked for the Agricultural Research Service for about 3 years. He was then transferred to Fort Collins, Colorado. so he could attend Colorado State University where he earned his Master’s degree in Civil Engineering. In 1960 the family moved to Richland, Washington. Bill worked in hydrology research at the Hanford installation.

  In 1991 Bill retired from there and moved to Las Vegas, Nevada. Bill worked for five years for Duke and retired permanently in 1996. After being in Las Vegas for 21 years they moved to Layton, Utah in order to be closer to some of their children. Sharon was born in Moscow, ID, Ellen was born in Boise, ID, Ross and Neil in Fort Collins, CO, Brad, Marian, Craig, Michael and Sarah were all born in Richland, WA. 

 Bill was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He and his wife, Joan, served two Senior Missions for the Church. The first was in the Church Office Building April 2000 to October 2001, working with Water Rights and other issues concerning farms. The second mission was in the Massachusetts Boston Mission from Dec. 2006 to June 2008. They served as Regional Employment Missionaries in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island and New Hampshire. 

 He is survived by his wife of 72 years, Joan Ogle Nelson, his children; Sharon Porter, Ellen Johansen, Ross Nelson, Neil Nelson, Bradley Nelson, Marian Robinson, Craig Nelson, Michael Nelson, Sarah Leavitt, 53 grandchildren and 111 great grandchildren. 

 He was preceded in death by his father; Rasmus K Nelson; mother; Zula Jensen; his sisters; Zula Elizabeth Nelson, Ann Jenson, Beth Campbell, Donna Warnock, Lois Leone Nelson, Karen Darlene Nelson and a brother Grant Nelson. 

 The family wants to thank all those who helped in any way to make this day special. 

 Please, in Lieu of flowers donate to the charity of your choice. 

 Special thanks to the Layton Sunridge Care Center, Memory section, who took such good care of Bill for the last 3 ½ years. Thanks also to the Layton South Stake, Angel Crossing Ward for their loving concern, friendship and care. 

 The funeral service will be held Saturday December 28, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at the Layton South Stake Center, 505 S. 1000 W., Layton, Utah. family and friends may visit Saturday from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. at the Stake Center prior to the service. Interment, Lindquist’s Memorial Park at Layton, 1867 N. Fairfield Rd., Layton, Utah.

 Arrangements entrusted to Lindquist’s Layton Mortuary, 1867 N. Fairfield Rd., Layton, Utah.