William Shannon Nelson II

COLUMBIA Devoted husband, cherished father, and friend, William Shannon Nelson II passed from this life on July 13, 2018. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 18, 2018 at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral with visitation following in Satterlee Hall. Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel, is in charge. Will was 79. A native of South Carolina, Will was the son of Patrick Henry and Elizabeth Nicholson Nelson.

For 34 years, Mr. Nelson was a partner with his family’s law firm, Nelson, Mullins, Riley & Scarborough in Columbia, South Carolina. His specialty was Real Estate Law. He handled numerous types of residential and commercial real estate transactions locally and nationally, concentrating on large multi-state commercial development loans. His commitment to helping others was demonstrated through countless hours of pro bono counsel to many organizations and to individuals in the underserved community.

He held a B.A. degree with a major in History from the University of South Carolina and a law degree from the University of South Carolina where he was also a member of Phi Delta Phi. In addition, he completed a postgraduate tax year at NYU. Mr. Nelson was a member of the American College of Real Estate Lawyers, the Richland County Bar Association Chairman, Memorials Committee, the American Bar Association Member: Business Law Section; Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section and the South Carolina Defense Trial Attorneys Association. Mr. Nelson was admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court for District of South Carolina.

Mr. Nelson was a member of the American College of Real Estate Lawyers, the Richland County Bar Association Chairman, Memorials Committee, the American Bar Association Member: Business Law Section; Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section and the South Carolina Defense Trial Attorneys Association. Mr. Nelson was admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court for District of South Carolina and was a member of the South Carolina Bar.

He had a rich appreciation and understanding of South Carolina and its history and had provided leadership to numerous organizations and churches over his lifetime.

Will Nelson loved his family, the outdoors, hiking, the mountains, Saluda, North Carolina, YMCA Camp Greenville, reading, and sailing. A lifelong learner and giver, he relished serving on numerous charitable boards, including the Nehemiah project, which helps provide housing for low income and homeless clients, The Saluda Community Land Trust, and the YMCA Camp Greenville family where for over fifty years he mentored hundreds of campers and staff. He was a member of Trinity Cathedral and of the Church of the Transfiguration (Saluda, NC), The Cotillion, Pine Tree Hunt Club, and Commodore of Columbia Sailing Club.

He is survived by his loving wife of 52 years this month, LeGrand Moorer Nelson, his two sons, William (Lori) Nelson, and Frank Nelson, his daughter, Caroline, his sisters, Elizabeth (Weston) Nelson Adams, Nina (Jim) Nelson Smith, his granddaughters, Charlotte and Virginia Nelson, his nephews, James Smith, Robert Adams, Weston Adams, Wallace Adams, and Julian Adams. He is preceded in death by his son Patrick Nelson and his niece Shannon (Smith) Stuckey. He will be deeply missed by his friends and family.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to organizations that he generously supported: YMCA Camp Greenville, Nehemiah CRC, Saluda Community Land Trust, and Church of the Transfiguration.

Memories may be shared at www.dunbarfunerals.com.