Billy Lee Nelson, 82, of Eaton, passed away March 14, 2019.  He was born to the late Charles and Thelma Nelson on May 29, 1936 in Muncie.

He retired from Yellow Freight after 30 years of dedicated workmanship.  Billy participated in several championships for both State and National rodeos.  He also took the first-ever Sportsman Award.  Billy did not know a stranger and was loved by many.  He was also a loving husband, father, step-father, grandfather, and man of God.  Billy was a member of True Light Baptist Church and could be found often as their door greeter.  Billy was also known for traveling and as a player of the Muncie Merchants softball league, a coach for other softball and baseball teams around the area, and a former member of the Muncie Central Bearcats basketball team.

Billy is survived by his wife of 10 years, Brenda Wright Nelson; children: Linda (Greg) Gibson, Kimberly (David) Puckett, Melissa (Bill) Mort, Kristie (Wes) Whited, Debbie (Don) Thompson, Kathy (Mike) Mong, Butch (Fay) Bird, Lori Beaty, and Lessa Finchum; sisters-in-law: Shirley Nelson and Pat (Vollie) Floyd; brothers-in-law, Larry (Barbara) Wright and Dave Weisse; 22 grandchildren; 33 great-grandchildren; 3 great-great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Billy was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Frank Nelson; sister-in-law, Sheryl Weisse; and wife in 2007, Barbara Nelson.