Charles William "Bill" Nielsen, 89, returned to his Heavenly Father on Tuesday, August 7, 2018, where his beloved wife, Neva, has been waiting impatiently for him for the past 19 months. Bill made his earthly entrance on August 24, 1928, on a dry farm homestead (known as "the flat") in Cleveland, Idaho, the youngest of nine children born to Albert Nielsen and Vera Charlotte Panter, seven of whom survived to adulthood. (Bill's older sisters, Faye and Thelma, both died very young.) When Bill was 18, his oldest brother and hero, Earl, was lost in action in the Pacific during World War II. With his only surviving brother, Keith, already serving in the Navy, Bill's firm desire to enlist was denied.

Bill attended school in Thatcher and Grace. His proudest moment in high school was when his team placed 3rd at the State Basketball championship and being named All State Guard. His second love was music, singing and dancing. He was named Most Talented his senior year. His dance partner and accompanist was usually Neva Turner. She became his eternal companion on September 17, 1947, in the Logan LDS Temple.

Over the next decade, the couple welcomed four daughters amid multiple moves and employment changes that took them throughout the valley from Cleveland to Soda Springs. Bill worked for several of the plants near Soda Springs as a maintenance mechanic and welder, i.e. Central Farmers, Monsanto and Beker. Bill's strong desire to farm finally took them back to Grace, where they constructed their dream home on the highway in 1966—much of it built with Bill's own two hands, including the iconic yellow and green barn with the towering hay bales and rope swing inside that delighted his grandchildren.

Bill was an avid horseman who loved chariot racing and paint horses. His prize stallions, Shawn Tackle and Lucky Parr One, were fixtures on the local race circuit. Portraits, trophies, and ribbons filled the shelves of his basement walls, where he loved to watch BYU sports and the Utah Jazz. Bill was a playful and involved father and grandfather who loved attending community sporting and music events, especially if one of his grandchildren was involved.

All who knew Bill will forever remember his twinkling blue eyes, kind smile, can-do attitude, and workman's hands roughly the size of baseball mitts. A devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Bill truly lived his testimony, always exemplifying faith, service, and sacrifice for others. He and Neva especially loved serving every Saturday morning at the Logan LDS Temple, a calling they faithfully fulfilled for nearly 20 years.

Bill is survived by his four daughters, Diane (John) Roberts and Christine (Richard) Gilbert, both of Grace, Janet (Jeff) Hill of Riverton, UT, and Brenda Bailey of Salt Lake City. He also leaves 16 grandchildren and 44 great-grandchildren, with the 45th due to arrive on what would have been his 90th birthday. He is preceded in death by his wife, his parents, his two brothers, five of his sisters, two sons-in-law (Mark Hulse and Christopher Bailey), and two great-granddaughters (Faith Rowe and Megan Hulse).

Services will be held on Saturday, August 11. 2018 at Noon at the Grace LDS Stake Center. Family will visit with friends on Friday evening 7-8 p.m. at the Stake Center and also Saturday morning 10-11:30 a.m. prior to services. Burial will be in the Grace Cemetery.

Listen to service