William Travis Nelson

William Travis Nelson, age 93, lifelong resident of Archer City, passed away Thursday night, March 30, 2023, just shy of his 94th birthday.

Vigil service and Rosary were held at 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 4, in the chapel of Aulds Funeral Home. Mass was celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 5, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Windthorst with Rev. Michael Moloney, OFS, Pastor of St. Mary’s and St. Boniface Catholic Church, officiating. Interment will follow in St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery under the direction of Aulds Funeral Home of Archer City.

Travis was born March 31, 1929 in Knox County, Texas to the late William Artie Nelson and Viola Cleo Kuykendall Nelson.

Travis was a 1947 graduate of Archer City High School. He honorably served his country in the United States Navy from September 1950 until July 1954. After his tour of duty, he returned home and attended Midwestern University in Wichita Falls.

He married Roberta Lucy “Bertie” Koetter on Feb. 13, 1956 in Windthorst. She preceded him in death on Aug. 13, 2003.

Travis was a truck driver in the oilfield and cattle business for a few years. In 1960, he became the owner and operator of Nelson’s Texaco in Archer City until his retirement in 2010.

Travis was very civic minded for the town of Archer City. He was one of the founding members of the Archer County Junior Livestock Show Association. He was a member of the Archer County Rodeo Association, the Lion’s Club and NorTex Regional Planning Board. He also served as a City Councilman where he was the Mayor Pro-Tem. Travis was a member of the Archer City Volunteer Fire Department and the Archer City Chamber of Commerce. He was awarded Citizen of the Year in 1979 and Outstanding Older Texan of Archer City in 2000. Travis volunteered for the Ambulance Service and helped Kenneth Aulds on many runs.

Travis was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Windthorst.

Survivors include two sons, Curtis Nelson and Kellie Fielding of Archer City and Craig Nelson of Archer City; one daughter, Caren Pettersen and husband, Michael of Elgin, Texas; one sister, Glenda Martin Nicklas and husband, Will of Wichita Falls; two brothers, Ronnie Nelson and wife, Debbie of Early, Texas and Lee Nelson of Angleton, Texas; two grandchildren, Jonathan Travis Nelson and Jamie Courson and husband, Ronnie; three great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was also preceded in death by his son, Clifton Nelson on Feb. 22, 2011; daughter-in-law, Kathy Nelson on March 16, 2014; granddaughter, Jennifer Nelson on Feb. 2, 1990; and sister, Patsie Ann Dodd on Dec. 6, 2010.

The family suggests memorials to the Archer Service Center, P.O. Box 578, Archer City, Texas 76351, the Archer City Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 367, Archer City, Texas 76351 or to Hospice of Wichita Falls, 4909 Johnson Road, Wichita Falls, Texas 76310.