Nelson L. Bills

MENANDS Nelson L. Bills, a lifelong Capital District resident passed away in his Sanctum Santorum after a long illness. Born in Troy, the second son of Joseph and Anna Bills, Nelson graduated from Catholic Central High School and also attended the Cornell School of Labor Relations. He served his country honorable as an United States Marine with combat tours of duty in Santo Domingo, the Dominican Republic and the Republic of South Vietnam. In 1977, Nelson enlisted in the New York Army National Guard and in 1980 entered the Active Guard/Reserve Program. He retired in 2001, having attained the rank of sergeant first class. During his service with the New York Guard, he was assigned to the Mobile Recruiting Force where he held the positions of recruiter, Retention NCO and Training NCO. Nelson's final assignment was a marketing and advertising manager. Nelson had also been employed by the D & H Railroad, Niagara Mohawk, Tobin Packing Co., Burns International Security Services, Inc. as security supervisor for Siena College, and at CDTA. While at CDTA, he became the first loan officer for the Federal Credit Union and later served as president of the credit union. Nelson, a man of many talents, demanded the best from himself and others and refused to accept any less. His many friends will miss him dearly, especially his acerbic wit which was so treasured and enjoyed by all of us. We know, however, that his dearest Audrey was waiting for him impatiently and that they are now both at peace together. Nelson was predeceased by Audrey Hoffman Bills, his beloved wife of more that 26 years; his parents, Joseph and Anna Bills; his first wife, Janice Ropelewski and his brother, Joseph Bills. Surviving are his sisters, Mary Patricia Bills of Fla. and Jo-Anne Bushnell of Troy; his brothers, Thomas and John Bills; his fourth brother and best friend, Bill Varian; three nieces and four nephews. Family and friends are invited to a memorial service at the Lasak & Gigliotti Funeral Home, 8 Dudley Heights, Albany (opposite the Philip Livingston School on Northern Blvd.) Thursday evening at 7:00 p.m. Burial will be private at Memory's Garden. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Susan B. Komen Breast Cancer Research Foundation, Albany affiliate.