With deepest sorrow, we announce that our beloved husband, father, and grandfather, Bruce Evans Nelson, 61, has passed. After an unexpected and brief fight with cancer, he was called to his Heavenly resting place on Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2022 from his Glenns home.
He shared 38 happy years with his loving wife, Terry, who gave him two children, Victoria Belcher and Brad. He also leaves behind his son-in-law, Andy; two beautiful grandchildren, Jessie and Wyatt; sisters, Lisa Croxton (Tommy) and Betty Walton (Durwood); brothers, Todd Nelson (Alice) and Paul Willaford (Julie); six nieces and nephews; and four great-nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his father, Hughes; mother and stepfather, Fay and Christian Willaford; and his nephew, Joe.
Bruce enjoyed a wonderful childhood growing up in the close-knit, waterfront community of Remlik. Losing his father at a young age, he was blessed with a father figure in Joe Bristow, who treated him as his own, teaching him life skills and influencing the man he would grow to become. Alongside Bruce was a large contingent of boys and girls, including his best friend, Michael Bristow, who remains a brother to this day. He often spoke fondly of all the peanut butter and jelly sandwiches his doting big sister Lisa fixed over the years.
Beginning in elementary school, he attended York Academy, where he met life-long friend, Ralph Sutton. Bruce graduated from Nashville Auto Diesel College in Tennessee with an automotive and diesel technician diploma and was recruited by Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company. During his tenure, he worked directly on the ships in X43, moved to O43 crane crew, finally ending his 18-year career in the maintenance garage working beside his twin brother, Todd. Following his brother eight months later, he was hired by the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), where he spent the next nearly 25 years helping to keep the equipment fleet operational at the Saluda Residency and touching the lives of his new friends, particularly growing fond of Audie Marshall and JJ Burcher. His expertise was highly respected, and he was awarded the 2007 National Technician of the Year by AEMP. Bruce also worked for 31 years for his good friend William Wright spending many evenings and Saturdays in friendly comradery working on the equipment.
Bruce was an active father spending time not only with his own children but unselfishly feeding into the lives of boys and girls in the community. He coached girls Little League softball for four years with his daughter. He was in Scouting as a child until aging out at age 18 and returned to his home Troop 341 as scoutmaster for three years, where he offered opportunities for fun and advancement. He supported his own son Brad and several other young men on their path to Eagle Scout.
On a blind date, Bruce met Terry Bristow, who became his devoted and loyal wife. He would often joke about his true love saying, “I married the first woman who would go on a second date with me.” Bruce was blessed to leave his daughter and grandchildren in the loving and secure arms of his son-in-law, Andy. Again Bruce’s sense of humor drew him to proclaim that “if I had known he was a Ford man, I wouldn’t have consented so quickly.”
Bruce lived by three rules and he often imparted the wisdom to those around him. Number one – if it’s too good to be true, it probably is. Number two – nothing in life is free. Number three – the world is full of stupid people. Bruce was hardworking and a straightforward man of integrity, always willing to help a friend. He deeply loved his family and will be greatly missed.
Visitation for family and friends was Thursday, Dec. 29 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Bristow-Faulkner Chapel in Saluda. A graveside funeral service was conducted at 11 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 30 at Remlik Wesleyan Church Cemetery in Remlik. A reception followed in the church fellowship hall.
Those who choose to give a gift in honor of Bruce are asked to make a donation in his name to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 4110, Glen Allen, VA 23058 or donate online at Cancer.org.
