Dr. William J. Nelson

William J. Nelson, MD, a sixty-five-year resident of Riverside, IL, passed away peacefully surrounded by his children on December 19, 2025. He was born in Chicago on August 3, 1933 to Julius and Pearl Nelson. He was preceded in death by his beloved parents; his brother, Julius "Skip" Nelson; and his sister Rita Jankowski.

Grandpa Nelson, also known to many as Doc Nelson was incredibly witty, committed and deeply passionate about his family and the families he cared for in his medical practice. His compassion, tenacity, critical thinking skills and humor were gently and uniquely woven into both his personal and professional life.

Bill was a highly respected and honored physician. A lifelong educator, he became the director of the LaGrange Hospital family practice residency program in 1975, dedicated himself to growing the family practice medicine profession in the community. Over the course of decades, he trained hundreds of physicians including two of his sons. The residency program continues to thrive and produce family practitioners devoted to caring for families.

He was a passionate dog lover and devoted Chicago Bears fan, but his most prized possession was the family he raised with the love of his life Shirley Ann who preceded him in death. Together, they were blessed with nine children-two beloved daughters who were welcomed into heaven as babies, and seven children raised with deep love and devotion:  Ken (Karen), Bill, Tom (Anne), Jim (Marci), Rick (Maggie), Lori (Armando) Saltiel, and Tim (Ofe). 

His family legacy also includes 19 grandchildren: Nicole (Jon) Utz, Jessica Saltiel-Bodnar (Steven), Cody (Yuliya), Justin (Casey), Julianne (Phil) Pedi, Jennifer Saltiel, David, Sarah (Joshua) Paseka, Jerett, Armando Saltiel, Jonathan (Anna) Nelson, Candice, Kim (Alex) Furth, Paige, Marlea, Hannah (Bill) Barry, Joseph (Angela) Nelson, and Eduardo and Sophia Lopez; as well as 18 great-grandchildren: Rylie, Jackson, Logan and Avery Utz; Gabriella, Julia, and Benjamin Pedi; Noah and Charlotte Nelson; Kendall and Finn Furth, Fiodora and Shai Nelson, Nolan Barry, Penelope Paseka, Rose Nelson, Connor and Isabelle Nelson and baby Paseka on the way.

His legacy lives on through his family, the physicians he mentored, and the many people whose lives he touched.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to

GAME CHANGERS, FTS

Through its Be Healed retreats led by Father Burke Masters, the ministry helps men and women find freedom and wholeness.

The Funeral Mass for Bill will be live-streamed on Friday, December 26, 2025 at 12:00pm. 

Please click the link below to join:

St. Issac Jogues Church