Harvey Byron Nelson

Harvey Byron Nelson, age 72 passed quietly into the arms of our Lord on Friday March 17, 2017 at his home in Fort Walton Beach, FL after a long battle with kidney cancer.

Harvey was born in Ogden, Utah to Uldyne Haverfield and Bert Whipple in May of 1944.  After graduating high School in Tacoma, Washington he enlisted in the USAF.  He married Barbara Ann Williams on April 10, 1971 in Columbus, Ohio. He retired June 1982 after serving 20 years as a gunner with the 16^th SOS AC-130 Ghostrider squadron from Hurlburt Field AFB. He did 2 tours in Vietnam during his career and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross with Oakleaf Cluster, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service medal with Silver Star, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm, and the AF Outstanding Unit Award with 3 Oakleaf Clusters.

Harvey was preceded in death by his wife of 36 years Barbara A. Nelson who passed away in 2007. 

Harvey is survived by his children, Myron Nelson of Chelmsford, England, Stacey & Mark Scheibelhut, Keith Nelson & Sherry Varvel, and Troy & Theresa Nelson all of FWB, FL, his brother James Whipple of Nevada, his sister Alyce Gilbride of FWB, 11 Grandchildren, Daniel, Ian, Colin, Alison, Patrick, Rebecka, Adreanna, Kaitlynn, Alexa, Janessa, and Sydney, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and honorary family members.

The family of Harvey Nelson wishes to extend our sincere thanks to the doctors and staff of Emerald Coast Cancer Center and Regency Hospice for the wonderful care and compassion given to our family over the years.

There will be a time of visitation held from 1-2pm on Friday, March 24, 2017, at Heritage Gardens Funeral Home 2201 Partin Dr. North, Niceville, FL 32578 with Pastor Daniel Lay of Regency Hospice, officiating. Funeral services will begin at 2:00pm. Interment with Military Honors will follow in Heritage Gardens Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers a donation to Regency Hospice would be appreciated.

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