Willard Kay Nelson, age 81, of Denver, Colorado, formerly of Annandale and Minneapolis, Minnesota, died January 5, 2017 at his home in Denver.

Memorial Services will be held for Willard Kay Nelson and Wilford Ray Nelson at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, April 29, 2017 at Dingmann Funeral Care Chapel, Annandale with Kelby Grovender officiating. Burial will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery, Annandale. Visitation will be 30 minutes prior to the service at the funeral chapel.

Willard Kay Nelson was born, along with his twin brother, on November 26, 1935 to Walter and Alice (Nelson) Nelson at their farm near South Haven, Minnesota. Willard Kay and his brother Wilford Ray were identical twins and in their early life only their parents and sister could tell them apart. Ray and Kay did everything together until they went into the Navy. They were in 4-H, enjoyed playing in the high school band, in which Kay played the alto sax. They were in Future Farmers of America for which they judged dairy products and crops. After graduation from Annandale High School in 1953, they went to Trinity Bible College in Chicago, IL. When they came home they went for 90 days of naval reserve training in Michigan. They both proudly served their country in the Navy during the Korean War.

Willard resided in Minneapolis, Minnesota for about 40 years prior to moving to Denver, Colorado over 20 years ago. Willard Kay worked as an Independent Real Estate Appraiser. He was a member of the Denver American Legion Post 0193. Willard Kay enjoyed watching the Denver Broncos, having coffee with friends, talking about “the old times”, growing tomatoes, being in the outdoors and spending time with his family.

Willard Kay Nelson is survived by his sister Linnea (Maris) Grovender of St. Anthony Village, MN; sister-in-law Rosalie Nelson of Palo Alto, CA; companion Mary Ann Mayes of Denver, CO; son Scott Nelson; daughter Kathleen Nelson; ex-wife Patricia Nelson; and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents Walter and Alice Nelson; youngest brother Roger E. Nelson; and twin brother Wilford Ray Nelson.

Arrangements are entrusted with Dingmann Funeral Care Burial & Cremation Services of Annandale.

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