Former Troy Fire Chief Nelson Dies Of Cancer

TROY, MI — Troy has lost one of its greatest leaders. Former Fire Chief William Nelson died June 12 after fighting cancer. He served the city for more than 40 years, including more than two decades as chief.

Nelson, 70, earned universal praise from past co-workers. He was also fondly remembered by Kathy Ryan on a memorial page on the Lynch & Sons Funeral Home website.

“Bill Nelson was one of the nicest guys you could ever have the pleasure of meeting, and we are so sad the world has lost such a terrific gentleman,” she wrote. “His kind spirit and demeanor defined the person he was, and his dedication to his family, the City of Troy, and the Troy Fire Department was so appreciated and admirable.”

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Nelson joined the Troy Fire Department as fire marshal in 1975. He served as a volunteer for the department for two years and left a job in the Madison Heights Fire Department to work in Troy. He was promoted to assistant fire chief in 1989 and fire chief in 1994.

“He pretty much set the foundation for fire prevention we implement to this day,” said Troy Fire Chief Dave Roberts. “I’ve known him my entire (39-year) career. He was a mentor to me. I’m going to miss him dearly.
“He (Nelson) was rather a short man in stature, but everyone looked up to him,” Roberts said. “He set the bar. He always wanted to provide the best to the department and for the community.”

For more, go to C & G Newspapers.

Photo courtesy of the city of Troy