Walter Howard "Pete" Nelson

Mr. Walter Howard (Pete) Nelson, of Opelika, died Friday, August 10, 2018 at EAMC, after a brief illness. Memorial services will be Tuesday, August 14, 2018 at 3pm at Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home Chapel with visitation one hour before service, beginning at 2pm. Reverend Mike King is officiating. In Lieu of flowers, donations can be made to First Baptist Church of Opelika Building Fund.

Pete retired from Uniroyal and currently served as an auxillian at EAMC for many years. An Army Veteran, he served his country in Korea with basic training in Ft. Jackson, S.C. He officiated local high school football for many years. He loved fishing and making his own fishing lures. He loved Auburn sports, Braves baseball, and the Green Bay Packers. Pete was a member of First Baptist Church of Opelika and the Ledbetter Sunday School Class.

Affectionately known as Pete, he was preceded in death by his former wife of 54 years, Catherine Brooks Nelson of Opelika; father, Walter H. Nelson of Sylacauga; mother, Lera Thornton Nelson of Sylacauga; and son-in-law, Steve Torbert of Society Hill.

He is survived by his wife of 3 years, Betty Jo Long Nelson; children: Cathy Spates of Opelika, Sharon Torbert of Society Hill, Gregory (Ramona) Nelson of Opelika, Randy (Beverly) Long of Auburn, and Charlotte Long (Al) Bennett of Chattanooga; grandchildren: Ashlyn (Jon) Fordham of Opelika, Abby Torbert (Wes Gibson) of Wadley, Stephen Torbert of Society Hill, Brandon Sherling of Auburn, and Tara (Joe) Meadows of Chattanooga; great-grandchildren: Hunter and Reed Fordham of Opelika.