CDR Birger N. “Bill” Neilsson, USN, RET, age 90, of Marion, IL, formerly of San Antonio, TX, passed away at 5:45 p.m. on Saturday, December 5, 2009, at the home of his son, Gary, of Marion, IL.
He was born on June 5, 1919, in Chicago, IL the son of Birger and Lillian (Peterson) Neilsson.
He was united in marriage to Dorothy M. Clark on November 15, 1941, in DeKalb, IL and together they shared nearly sixty years of marriage until her death, April 25, 2001.
After his marriage, he answered the call of this nation by enlisting into the United States Navy. He faithfully served for the next twenty two years being involved in WW II, the Korean War and in the beginning of the Vietnam War. During his time of service he and his family were stationed overseas and in many locations across this country. After his period of faithful service he retired from the Navy in 1964, with the rank of Commander. After his retirement from the Navy he began working for Ingersoll Milling Company, later known as South Bend Lathe, as their business manager for ten years. He later began working for the Fox Photo Company as their regional manager, having offices in South Bend, IN and Atlanta, GA and he later was transferred into their home office located in San Antonio, TX. He retired from Fox Photo in 1983 and remained living in San Antonio, TX until he and his wife, Dorothy, moved to Marion, IL in 1999.
He is a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Marion, IL. Some of his other memberships include the Retired Military Officers Association and a lifetime member of the American Legion.
He is survived by two sons and one daughter-in-law, Gary L. Neilsson of Marion, IL and Douglas C. and Linda Neilsson of San Jose, CA; five grandchildren, Ashley Ranshaw and her husband, Mike, of Sherman Oaks, CA, Lindsey Angelats and her husband, Rafael, of San Francisco, CA, Jennifer Maas and her husband, Matthew, of Boston, MA; Amanda Neilsson and her fiancé, Tony Urbanik, both of Houston, TX and Michael Neilsson of Marion, IL; three great grandchildren, Hayden and Carter Ranshaw both of Sherman Oaks, CA and Sofia Angelats of San Francisco, CA, other extended family and many friends.
He was preceded in death by parents, wife, and his daughter-in-law, Jane Vail Neilsson.
Arrangements for CDR Birger N. “Bill” Neilsson, USN, RET have been entrusted to the Wilson-McReynolds Funeral Home, 900 N. Court Street, of Marion, IL.
A memorial service will be held at a later date.
For those who prefer memorial contributions may be made to either “First Presbyterian Church” or “Hospice of Southern Illinois”. Memorial contribution envelopes are available at the funeral home or may be mailed in care of Wilson-McReynolds Funeral Home, P.O. Box 370, Marion, IL 62959.
For additional information please contact the funeral home by calling 618-993-2131.
