William J. Nelson MD, a 65-year resident of Riverside, died peacefully surrounded by his children on Dec. 19, 2025. Born in Chicago on Aug. 3, 1933 to Julius and Pearl Nelson, he was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Julius “Skip” Nelson; and his sister, Rita Jankowski.
Grandpa Nelson, also known to many as Doc Nelson, was witty, committed and passionate about his family and the families he cared for in his medical practice. His compassion, tenacity, critical-thinking skills and humor were gently and uniquely woven into both his personal and professional life. A lifelong educator, he became director of the LaGrange Hospital family practice residency program in 1975 and dedicated himself to growing the family practice medicine profession in the community. Over the course of decades, he trained hundreds of physicians, including two of his sons. The residency program continues to thrive and produce family practitioners. He was a dog lover and devoted Chicago Bears fan, but his most prized possession was the family he raised with the love of his wife, Shirley Ann, who preceded him in death.
Together, they were blessed with nine children — including two daughters who died as babies — and seven children, Ken (Karen), Bill, Tom (Anne), Jim (Marci), Rick (Maggie), Lori (Armando) Saltiel, and Tim (Ofe); 19 grandchildren, Nicole (Jon) Utz, Jessica Saltiel-Bodnar (Steven), Cody (Yuliya), Justin (Casey), Julianne (Phil) Pedi, Jennifer Saltiel, David, Sarah (Joshua) Paseka, Jerett, Armando Saltiel, Jonathan (Anna) Nelson, Candice, Kim (Alex) Furth, Paige, Marlea, Hannah (Bill) Barry, Joseph (Angela) Nelson, and Eduardo and Sophia Lopez; as well as 18 great-grandchildren, Rylie, Jackson, Logan and Avery Utz, Gabriella, Julia, and Benjamin Pedi, Noah and Charlotte Nelson, Kendall and Finn Furth, Fiodora and Shai Nelson, Nolan Barry, Penelope Paseka, Rose Nelson, Connor and Isabelle Nelson, and baby Paseka on the way.
His legacy lives on through his family, the physicians he mentored, and the many people whose lives he touched.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to Game Changers FTS, www.gamechangersfts.com. Through its Be Healed retreats, led by Father Burke Masters, the ministry helps men and women find freedom and wholeness.
Visitation will be held on Friday, Dec. 26 from 11 a.m. until the funeral Mass at noon at St. Isaac Jogues Church in Hinsdale.
Arrangements were handled by Kuratko-Nosek Funeral Home. Online condolences, photos and memories may be shared with the family at www.KuratkoNosek.com.