William Thomas Nelms, 83, of Denton passed away on February 12, 2023 in Denton. He was born in McAlester, Oklahoma on July 9, 1939 to Clyde and Woodie Nelms. Tom graduated from McAlester High School and Northeastern Oklahoma State University. Tom married Susan in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in 1971, moving in 1972 to Corsicana, where his children, Brian and Stephanie, were born. After relocating to Denton, TX, in 1974, Tom worked in hospital administration and insurance before retiring from Peterbilt.
Tom worked as a lifeguard as a teenager and held a lifelong love of swimming, teaching his children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews how to swim. He loved working around his home and yard and usually had (too) many projects going at the same time. Tom was also creative and always wanted to spend more time pursing artistic endeavors, especially painting. Above all, Tom was intensely devoted to his family as a loving father, uncle, and grandfather. He was especially fond of children and will be remembered for always being there for any of them who needed help.
He is survived by his wife, Susan Nelms of Denton; daughter, Stephanie Nelms-Wright and her husband Dustin of Aubrey, Tx.; son, Jeff Nelms and his wife, Kelly of Bedford, and five grandchildren (Sydney, Shelby, Camille, Colette, and Claire) and two step-grandchildren (Carissa and Austin).
He was preceded in death by his parents; his son, Brian Nelms; sister, Joann Adams; brothers, Clyde Nelms, Jr., and Robert “Bob” Nelms.
A memorial service will be held in the Chapel of DeBerry Funeral Directors on March 11, 2023 at 10:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the National Parkinson's Foundation.
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