William K. NelsonSept. 7, 1922 - April 23, 2008William "Ace" Nelson was born Sept 7, 1922, in Hollywood, Calif. He passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, April 23, at age 85. Ace was a graduate of Hollywood High School and Occidental College. He got his nickname when he was playing guard on a never-defeated Hollywood High School basketball team. At the final bell he flung the ball from beyond mid-court and scored the winning basket. The next day, the papers reported Bill "Ace" Nelson?s amazing shot. The nickname followed him to college and onward.While still at Occidental, Ace joined the Navy?s officers training corps, and after Pearl Harbor was sent to Columbia University to be trained as a "90 day wonder" Naval officer. He commanded an LST for three years in the Pacific during World War II. His was the flagship of his sixty-ship convoy.After graduation from Occidental with a major in economics, Ace and his friend Robert Hayward decided they didn?t want to sit behind desks all their lives. They therefore hired an old and wise Swedish carpenter to teach them the trade by building a house with them. Ace continued to be a (very contented) carpenter-contractor for his working life. He also served as Youth Director for the Congregational Church in Hollywood, where he met his first wife, Dorinda. They had three boys, Alec, Mark and David (Barney), and made their home in Corona Del Mar, Calif.Ace met his present wife, Joni, and her three children, Karen, Linda and Jeff, on the ski slopes of June Mountain in the Sierras. The combined family lived in Laguna Beach, Calif. When all the children were grown, Ace and Joni came to Brownsville, a small town where they hoped to be of service and be able to live out their lives.Ace served the Brownsville community in many ways. He was on the City Council, the Parks Committee, Pioneer Picnic board, was vice-president of the Millrace Association, worked with the Calapooia Watershed council to improve fish passage on the river, was a founding member of the Cooley Cottage and Rock Hill School Foundations (two successful historic preservation efforts), assisted in construction at the Linn county Museum, and supported both Joni and his friends and neighbors in their efforts and passions. Ace is survived by his two wives, six children, 12 grandchildren, and a host of beloved friends.A memorial service will be held at the Brownsville Recreation Center at 2 p.m. on Sunday, April 27. Burial will be at Brownsville Pioneer Cemetery. A reception following burial will be held at Ace and Joni?s home. (Supper will be provided; guests may bring hors d?oeuvers and/or a beverage of their choice.) Donations may be made in Ace?s name to the Brownsville Recreation Center. AAsum-Dufour Funeral Home is handling the arrangements ( www.aasum-dufour.com )