William P. Nelson

05/22/1935 - 04/03/2024

William P. Nelson (Bill)
May 22, 1935 - April 3, 2024
Preceded in death by his wife, Meredith H. Nelson;
his parents Howard and Mary Nelson; and brothers Edward and Thomas Nelson.

Bill is survived by their three children and families:
Son Edward Nelson, wife Beatriz; grandson Phillip, his wife Jessie and great-grand daughter Ada Rose;
and granddaughter Elizabeth Nelson.
Daughter Nancy, husband Anthony Difede, and granddaughter Angela Difede.
Son Howard S. Nelson, III.
His brother Charles, brothers-in-law Harris and Robert Hardy and numerous nieces and nephews.

Bill grew up in the hardwood lumber industry. His childhood stretched from logging in South America to working with his father at a veneer mill in Pascagoula, MS where he met Meredith V. Hardy. They married in 1956 and attended Mississippi State University. After graduation in 1958, Bill was in the first class of the National Hardwood Lumber Assoc. and became a Certified Inspector in 1959. In 1965, Bill opened World Wood Co. in Houston, TX.

Bill and Meredith welcomed customers from around the world into their family home and passed on the love of travel to their children and grandchildren. Their grandchildren were their greatest joy in later years.
Bill's hands-on approach to a lifetime of sourcing, drying, milling, selling and shipping lumber created a world wide network of friends and colleagues. Known for his larger than life personality and abundant energy, his stories of auctions, hunting for "such a deal", and wood are legendary. His greeting, "What can I do for you?" will be missed.