Bill M. Nelson, MD

Bill M. Nelson, MD, 81, husband of Rev. Mary C. Nelson, died January 31, 2008. The grandson of a Baptist missionary, he followed in his father’s footsteps to become a pathologist. He served in the US Army during the end of World War II. He later did cancer research in Germany and at Oak Ridge (TN) Institute for Nuclear Studies. He enjoyed white water canoeing and water skiing. He also played tuba and sang in the church choir. An active church volunteer, he did planning for the Knoxville UU Church. He had a fascination for languages. Bill also volunteered for the Braille Institute. The Nelsons are survived by their three children, Murfi Pedersen, Martin Nelson and Linda Nelson and their spouses; four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.