WESLEY WILLIAM PALMER NELSON

January 31, 2024

Wesley William Palmer Nelson of Stratford, died peacefully, with family by his side, Jan. 31, 2024, at the Stratford General Hospital, at the age of 87. Born Dec. 9, 1936, in Rose Valley, Saskatchewan (Ponass Lake), he was the son of William and Aleta Nelson. Moving from the family homestead near Pleasantdale, Saskatchewan, Wes and his family spent time in Fosston and Rocanville, Saskatchewan, before moving to Kincardine, Ontario, when he was 14 years old. After graduating from high school in 1955, Wes joined the Bank of Montreal and remained with BMO for more than 45 years. His career started in Kincardine and it took him, and his family, to many places across Canada with stops in Sarnia, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, London, Sudbury, Edmonton, Windsor, and finally to Stratford where he retired in 1991. Still not done with his love of people and banking, Wes continued his post-retirement work as a retirement service representative until 2000. He always used to say, “Old bankers never die, they just lose interest!” Throughout the bank moves, Wes met and worked alongside many great people, had many great neighbours, and many great church families. These relationships are something he never lost interest in. In 1956, Wes met Lois Button, a farmer's daughter, of Teeswater. They were married in 1960 at Teeswater United Church and recently celebrated 63 years of marriage. Wes is survived by his wife, Lois; sons, Geoffrey (Heidi) of Brantford and Michael (Susan) of Mitchell; grandchildren, Mackenzie (Mallory), Chloe (Greg), Tabitha, Celia (Joshua), Hannah (Malakai), Leah, Sarah, Rebekah, Josiah, Mya, and Julia; and great-grandchildren, Bailey and Theodore; as well as many cherished nieces, nephews, and cousins. Predeceased by his parents, William and Aleta (Palmer) Nelson; sister, Winona Loree; brother-in-law, Stuart Loree; and sister, Lois Litwiller. Recently, Wes was asked how he was feeling and he answered, “Grateful and blessed.” A celebration of his life will be held at Elgin Missionary Church, 4192 Perth County Line 36, Stratford, Monday, Feb. 5, 2024, at 2 p.m., followed by a reception at the church. A private family interment will be held in the Kincardine Cemetery in the spring. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Elgin Missionary Church, Rotary Hospice Stratford Perth, or the Canadian Cancer Society, an organization where Wes was a long-time volunteer; arrangements entrusted to the W.G. Young Funeral Home, 430 Huron Street, Stratford, 519-271-7411; www.wgyoungfuneralhome.com.