CHICOPEE – William C. “Bill” Nelson, Sr., 75, of the Aldenville section of Chicopee, was Called Safely Home on Sunday, August 16, 2015. He passed into Eternal Life from his home surrounded by the care and comfort of his loving family. He was born in Springfield on November 29, 1939, a beloved son of the late Charles H. Nelson, Sr. and Lena May (August) Nelson. He was raised in Springfield and Southwick before moving to Chicopee around 1970. He served his country in the United States Marine Corps during the Vietnam War and attained the rank of Sergeant. Following his military service, he returned to the area and was employed by the United States Postal Service. He began his career as a letter carrier and then became a Supervisor at the Indian Orchard Post Office. He later became a Supervisor at the Bulk Mail Center on Tapley Street in Springfield and then became the Director of Safety and Security for the Northeast Region of the US Postal Service and retired in 1992. Following his retirement, he became a Security Officer at the Eastfield Mall in Springfield. For 24 years, Bill enjoyed working as a security officer at the Big E in West Springfield. He also served the City of Chicopee for 32 years and retired as a Captain for the Chicopee Special Police. Bill was a lifetime fan of the Notre Dame football team. He was a former member of the Amvets in Chicopee and the Blue Knights Police Motorcycle Association. Most of all, he was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather who showered his family with his love and affection which was returned to him a thousand fold. Besides his parents and eight siblings, Bill was predeceased by his beloved wife, Freda R. (Paradis) Nelson who was Called Home on February 18, 1992. He leaves his loving wife of 18 years, Joyce M. (Bengle) Cahill Nelson; his seven loving children, Dianna L. Nelson of Chicopee, William C. Nelson, Jr. and his wife, Leslie, of Bremen, OH, Gerald F. Nelson and his wife, Stacey, of Westfield, Robert S. Nelson and his wife, Cheryl, of Chicopee, Lisa A. Moynahan and her husband, Sean, of Bondsville, Jacqueline M. Kozlik and her husband, Anthony, of Ware, and James L. Cahill of Syracuse, NY; his eleven cherished grandchildren, Steven Weaver and his wife, Melinda, Tyler Nelson Yarrows, William Nelson, III, Karissa Nelson, Ryan Nelson, Ashley Juskhas, Amber Nelson, Amanda Nelson, Joshua Moynahan, Nathan Moynahan, Amanda Kozlik and Adam Kozlik; his four cherished great-grandchildren, Mikayla Weaver, Adalyn Weaver, Madalynn Nelson and Hunter Moynahan; and his many dear nephews, nieces, cousins and extended members of the Nelson, Paradis, Bengle and Cahill families. He will also be sadly missed by his faithful canine companion, his dog “Duke”. His Funeral Service will be held on Friday morning, August 21, 2015 at 10:30 a.m. at the St. Pierre – Phaneuf Aldenville Chapels, 13 Dale Street, Chicopee, MA 01020, (funeral home will open at 9:30 a.m.). His burial with United States Marine Corps Military Honors will follow the Service at Sainte Rose Cemetery, 49 Olsen Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. His family will receive friends at the funeral home on Thursday, August 20, 2015 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. The parking lot and main entrance are located in the rear of the funeral home at 20 Lafayette Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. His family has requested that memorial donations be made in his memory to the Wounded Warrior Project, 150 Cambridge Park Drive, Suite 202, Cambridge, MA 02140 or the Soldiers Home in Holyoke, 110 Cherry Street, Holyoke, MA 01040. For more details, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com