Billie Nellist

Hastings resident, Billie L. Nellist, 96, of 900 East 'B' Street #107, died Sunday, September 4, 2005 at Perkins Pavilion.

Memorial service will be Thursday, September 8, 2005; 3:30 P.M. at The Village Green, 900 East 'B' Street with Pastor Neil Vik officiating. Private family interment at a later date.

Mr. Nellist was born September 19, 1908 in Samoa, California to Joseph J. & Etta P. (Goodman) Nellist. The family lived in the Eureka, California area. He graduated from Arcata High School in northern California and attended Humboldt State College, at Arcata, California. During the 1930's and 1940's, he worked for Standard Oil of California as a jobber and gas station manager. He married Margaret Schwabenland on October 29, 1940. They lived at Arcata, California. He served in the United States Army Air Corps from1943 until 1945; as flight engineer and aerial gunner in B-17 and B-24 aircraft flying combat missions from England. The Nellist's resided at Arcata from 1945 until 1952. In 1952, they moved to Fresno, California, where they raised grapes for raisins. He was active in the management of the Fresno Grangers and Sierra Central Credit Unions of Fresno. Mr. Nellist retired in 1972 and continued to reside in Fresno. They moved to Hastings, Nebraska in June of 2003 to be near their daughter's family. He was a member of the Easton Grange, American Legion and Easton (CA) United Presbyterian Church.

Mr. Nellist was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters and one brother.

Survivors include,
Wife: Margaret Nellist - Hastings, NE
Daughter & Son-in-law: Leanne & Richard Ray - Hastings, NE
Grandsons & Spouse: Branden & Christina Ray - Wychford, UK
Jeffrey N. Ray - Grand Island, NE

Memorial may be given to The Children's Ark @ Good Samaritan Village or Shriners' Crippled Children's Hospital

No viewing or visitation