Iley ‘Junior’ Nelson

Iley “Junior” Nelson was born March 25, 1927, to Iley and Myrtle (Cooper) Nelson in Keota at a young age. The family moved to Heber Springs, Ark., where his father worked as a farmer.
In his early years, Iley worked as a sawmiller in parts of Western Arkansas and Eastern Oklahoma. He was called to serve in the military at the age of 18. Iley served in the Army for one and one-half years spending most of his time overseas during WWII.
Upon returning back home from the service, Iley opened his own sawmill and operated it for many years. Iley moved back to the Keota area with his wife and children and worked for Mr. Beal in the rock business. Iley then moved on and began working for Winklepleck Salvage in which he was a mechanic and drove a wrecker. He worked for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers cleaning the parks with this former wife. To hear him talk, working for the Corp was one of his most rewarding jobs. Iley then worked for Keota Public Schools as a custodian for 13 years in which he ultimately retired.
Iley was a devout Christian always placing his faith and belief in God at the forefront.
He was a master gardener and green thumb, always growing a bountiful garden of vegetables and flowers. Iley will be missed by all that knew and adored him, but know he is home with his children.
Iley is survived by his wife Linda of Keota; two sons, Bill Nelson and wife Pat and Glenn Patterson and wife Annette both of Keota; 10 grandchildren, Angie Shaw and husband Josh of Walden, Ark., Tina Story and husband Kyle of Muldrow, Jonna Chattin and husband Michael of Maine, Vanessa Brand and husband Doug of Keota, Amanda Nelson of Keota, Kevin Nelson and wife Christy of Van Buren, Ark., Lacey Bates and husband Kyle of Piedmont, Daniel Clark and wife Leslie of Keota, Jeremy Clark of Sallisaw, Kevin Russell of Louisiana, and Ty Patterson of Keota. Iley is also survived by a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and many friends.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Bernice Nelson of 44 years; three daughters, Barbara Russell, Evelyn Edwards, Sherrie Reed; one son, Rick Nelson. two sisters, Thelma Yates and Lana Nelson; four brothers Robert Nelson, Truman Nelson, Eugene Nelson and James Nelson; one granddaughter; Gina Shipman, one great- granddaughter, Meghann Carry; and one great-grandson, Jesse Pope.
Iley was a devout member and usher of the Keota Assembly of God Church for many years.
Services were held Nov. 15 at the Keota Assembly of God Church with the Rev. Heath Cole and the Rev. Charles Kilgore officiating.  Burial followed at Old Cache Cemetery under the direction of Mallory-Martin Funeral Home & Crematory of Stigler.  
Pallberers were  Kevin Nelson, Daniel Clark, Collin Brand, Jeremy Clark, Ty Patterson, Kyle Bates and David Reed.