Dedicated to Friends, Past and Present

Walter Norman Nielsen, 93, of Fernandina Beach left to be with the Lord on August 13, 2024. He was born in Chicago, Ill., on December 18, 1930, to the late Walter and Marian Nielsen. Walter attended Wheaton College and later joined the Air Force, where he served both on active duty and in the Reserves. He spent several years investigating accidents for the Air Force before becoming a commercial airline pilot, a career that lasted 30 years. Shortly after retirement, Walter, his wife, Betty, and daughter Kirsten moved to Fernandina Beach from McDonough, Ga. He spent his last 30 years as he liked to say, "living in paradise." He was an avid golfer and, when he wasn't playing, he could be found nurturing his garden. 

Walter is survived by his wife, Betty; daughters Lynda (Robert) Martel, Cyndy Thomas, son Walter Nielsen Jr., daughters Natalie (Glenn) Shellhouse, Kirsten Nielsen and stepdaughter Mary-Margaret (Edward) McAfee; eight grandchildren, four great-grandchildren; his sister, Yvonne (John) Clark; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Walter was preceded in death by his sisters, Betty Teets and Greta Wade, and nephews, Matthew and Jason Clark.  He will be missed by all who knew and loved him. The family will hold a service to celebrate Walter's life at a later date. "To be absent from the body is to be present in the Lord." Corinthians 5:8

Obituary​

Walter Norman Nielsen
December 18, 1930 - August 13, 2024