Nelsen Funeral Home

Bonnie Ann Hiu, age 81, of Williamsburg, Virginia passed away on Tuesday, September 17, 2024. She was preceded in death by her father, Norman M. Wielgosz; mother, Alice Wielgosz; and brother, Norman Wielgosz. She was a registered nurse for Tricare Family Clinic in Woodbridge, VA. Bonnie is survived by her husband, COL (R) Patrick S. Hiu; son, LTC (R) Eric M. Hiu (Mary Katherine); grandchildren, CPT Jesse Filyaw-Hiu King, McDaniel Hiu, Ana Hiu, and Alexa Hiu; grandson-in-law, MAJ Joshua King; and great-granddaughter, Grace King. Interment at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA will be held at a later date. Full obituary can be viewed at www.NelsenWilliamsburg.com.

Soldier, Instructor, Plans Analyst, loving husband, father, and grandfather, Robert Gucwa passed away on Thursday, August 22, 2024 at home. During his career, he dedicated his life to his country, performing nearly 39 years of service to our nation. He served 20 years in the United States Army and an additional 19 years as a Department of Army Civilian. Born and raised on Staten Island, N.Y. he left in 1984 to serve his country in the Army. Robert served and deployed during numerous conflicts in Central America, Bosnia, Southwest Asia to include Gulf War I - Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Robert's undergraduate education at SUNY Maritime led him to a career in the Army where he used his...

Clarence Earl Hand, born October 24, 1932 in Bloomsbury, NJ, departed this life July 21, 2024, in Williamsburg, VA. The son of Norman and Alice Hand, Clarence grew up in Flemington, NJ, where he stumbled on his first great love - harness horse racing. Racing became his life's work and his great passion. While serving in the Air Force in the 1950s, Clarence was stationed in Idaho where he stumbled on his second great love, Barbara Burton, who became his wife of 68 years. When they married in 1956, Barbara became his first love (although the horses were never far behind). Clarence and Barbara lived a full life together, raising a family and traveling to race tracks. Later in life, they spent...

France Rose Stillman Ryan, age 80, formerly of Farragut, TN, passed away on July 8, 2024, in Williamsburg, VA. Born in Cahokia, Illinois, Fran never outgrew her farm roots, cherishing her love for gardening, yard work, quilting, sewing, and crafting. Throughout her life, Fran and her husband traveled extensively around the world, both during his career in the Air Force and into their retirement. They eventually settled in Farragut, making East Tennessee their home for over 30 years. Fran was an active member of her community. She was a member of the Fox Den Women's Club, a member and past president of the Tennessee Valley Golden Retriever Rescue, and a member of the Veronica Ministry at...

Constance Anne Carr Link passed away peacefully in Williamsburg, Virginia on June 27, 2024 at the age of 93. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Tom, and her cherished brother, Joseph Carr. Connie was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where she was raised, on December 17, 1930, and was very proud of her Philadelphia roots. She met Tom, her Prince Charming, at a tea dance at Villanova University in 1950 and they were married in 1956 and enjoyed a 61-year marriage until Tom's death in 2018. Tom and Connie raised their family in Morristown, New Jersey, with a stint from 1970 to 1973 in Caracas, Venezuela. They relocated to Williamsburg, Virginia in 1996 after Tom's...

Constance Anne Carr Link passed away peacefully in Williamsburg, Virginia on June 27, 2024 at the age of 93. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Tom, and her cherished brother, Joseph Carr. Connie was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where she was raised, on December 17, 1930, and was very proud of her Philadelphia roots. She met Tom, her Prince Charming, at a tea dance at Villanova University in 1950 and they were married in 1956 and enjoyed a 61-year marriage until Tom's death in 2018. Tom and Connie raised their family in Morristown, New Jersey, with a stint from 1970 to 1973 in Caracas, Venezuela. They relocated to Williamsburg, Virginia in 1996 after Tom's...

Larry Leon Emmons, 83, of Williamsburg, Virginia passed away on June 25, 2024. He was born in Northern Illinois to Cecil Emmons and Evelyn Vivian Emmons. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Jan Emmons; his sister, Lou Ann McMillion; three nieces and three nephews. Larry was a man of many talents, an artist, a singer, and designer. He designed and created jewelry, taught art in public schools and at the university level, and worked to grow and improve art programs in Illinois. He was born into a musical family, singing for many events and in several productions. In 1966, he joined the Navy Band Sea Chanters performing with them for 4 years. Larry was a lifelong car lover, owning over...

Larry Leon Emmons, 83, of Williamsburg, passed away on June 25, 2024. Full obituary to follow. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.nelsenwilliamsburg.com.

Nancy Lockwood Early passed away peacefully on June 1, 2024 surrounded by family. Born on March 17, 1942, in Hampton, VA, Nancy was the daughter of the late Louise Capehart and William Holcombe Lockwood. She was also preceded in death by her sister, Ann Lockwood Phillips; brother-in-law, Robert Lee Phillips; mother and father-in-law, Virginia Utz and James Banks Early, Jr; and brother-in-law, Ronald Early. Nancy is survived by her husband, James B. Early III; her three children, James B. Early IV (Maria), Shannon Early Johnston (Bill), and Jill Early Norris (Wes); her five grandchildren, Will, Christopher, Weston, Brighton, and Saylor; her nephews, Bobby Phillips (Sarah), Will Phillips...

Dorothea "Dolly" Mendinhall McSorley died April 23,2024 in Williamsburg, VA. She was born on September 19, 1924 to Dorothy and Edward Mendinhall in Wilmington, DE. Raised in a legacy of Quakers, she attended Wilmington Friends School and Bradford Jr. College in Haverhill, MA. Known affectionately as Dolly, (a nickname given to her by her older brother) she spent her childhood and teenage summers at Camp Wawenock in Maine where she was a riding and sailing instructor. After college, she coached basketball and field hockey at a private girls' school in Wilmington. In 1945, Dolly met Samuel L. McSorley. They were married in 1948 and moved to Princeton, NJ, where Sam was attending Princeton...

Dorothy "Dot" Crowell Tester, 95, of Lynchburg, passed away in Williamsburg on December 25, 2023. She was the wife of the late James Carlton Tester for sixty-six years. Born in Pulaski, Virginia on March 12, 1928, she was the daughter of the late Ohmer Oreal Crowell and the late Thelma Repass Crowell. Dorothy graduated from Madison College (now James Madison University) in 1949 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education. Upon graduation, she taught second grade in Pulaski prior to beginning a family. Dorothy was a devoted member of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church and for many years was an active member of the Lynchburg Women's Club, Lynchburg Garden Club, and Patches 'n Pieces Quilt Club. In...

Dorothy "Dot" Crowell Tester, 95, of Lynchburg, passed away in Williamsburg on December 25, 2023. She was the wife of the late James Carlton Tester for sixty-six years. Born in Pulaski, Virginia on March 12, 1928, she was the daughter of the late Ohmer Oreal Crowell and the late Thelma Repass Crowell. Dorothy graduated from Madison College (now James Madison University) in 1949 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education. Upon graduation, she taught second grade in Pulaski prior to beginning a family. Dorothy was a devoted member of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church and for many years was an active member of the Lynchburg Women's Club, Lynchburg Garden Club, and Patches 'n Pieces Quilt Club. In...

Donald Albin Myers passed away on December 6, 2023, with his loving family at his side. Don was born in Denver, Colorado and most recently resided in Charlottesville, Virginia. During his 87 years he lived all over the United States including Vienna, Virginia, and traveled the world, most of it with his lifelong love, Joan. After High School, Don went on to graduate with a BS in Petroleum Engineering at Colorado School of Mines, served our nation in the Army Corps of Engineers, and achieved a PhD in Neurophysiology at the University of Denver. With Joan at his side, Don had a career for many years with the Central Intelligence Agency, where he received two prestigious awards, the...

Our loving husband, father, and Pop Pop, Peter J. Olenick, III, 76, of Williamsburg, VA, peacefully passed away on November 30, and we just know that he is finding us the perfect fishing spot. Pete was born on May 22, 1947, to Peter and Elizabeth Olenick in Washington D.C. Pete grew up on the Naval Base in Dahlgren, played football for King George High School, and attended Belmont Abbey College in North Carolina. Upon returning home after graduation, he married Mary Frances Krystofik, the love of his life. He received his master's degree in education administration from SUNY Cortland and, eventually, they settled in the Northern Neck of Virginia to raise their three daughters. Pete loved...

Mrs. Sarah Lou Weavil Welch, 95, passed away in peace and comfort on November 21, 2023. For service information and the full obituary, please visit www.NelsenWilliamsburg.com.

Christa White, 63, of Williamsburg, Virginia, died at home of lung cancer on Sunday, October 29, surrounded by her husband and three daughters. She also battled early-onset Alzheimer's for the past five years. Christa was born in Erie, PA on June 24, 1960 to Art and Virginia Dietz. She, her two sisters and two brothers were raised in Lawrence Park Township in Erie County. She often talked about her terrific childhood, her friends, and her close, loving family. She adored her parents and her Gramma Dietz and spoke with pride about her Grandma & Grandpa Greenlee who were leaders in the Lawrence Park community. Christa graduated from Iroquois High School where she was captain of the...

Christa White, 63, of Williamsburg, Virginia, died at home of lung cancer on Sunday, October 29, surrounded by her husband and three daughters. She also battled early-onset Alzheimer's for the past five years. Christa was born in Erie, PA on June 24, 1960 to Art and Virginia Dietz. She, her two sisters and two brothers were raised in Lawrence Park Township in Erie County. She often talked about her terrific childhood, her friends, and her close, loving family. She adored her parents and her Gramma Dietz and spoke with pride about her Grandma & Grandpa Greenlee who were leaders in the Lawrence Park community. Christa graduated from Iroquois High School where she was captain of the...

MaryAnn Rose Henzel passed away on October 21, 2023, at home, where she wanted to be, with her family. She was just shy of her 90th birthday. She was born in New Castle, PA, December 14, 1933, to the late Michael and Nicolina Cassella. MaryAnn was also preceded in death by her only sibling, Rev. John J. Cassella. She attended public school and New Castle Business College. Her nickname was Cassie, derived from her last name. She was a drum majorette in high school and even found enjoyment in twirling that baton in later years. She stayed physically active through most of her life with sports and dancing. MaryAnn believed in how a positive attitude affects life and to never give up. In...

David Ernest Nelson, 80, formerly of Clear Lake, Iowa passed away on October 21, 2023 of dementia. He is preceded in death by parents, Ernest and Mae Nelson; siblings, Judy Stout Neuberger, Richard and Larry Nelson of Clear Lake, Iowa. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Gloria Spelman Nelson of Williamsburg, Virginia; daughter, Laura Nelson Coyne, husband Brian; granddaughters, Meghan and Allison of Pylesville, MD; and nieces and nephew, Michelle Stout Luscombe, Melody Stout Gaston and Mike Stout of Iowa. Dave was born on February 2, 1943 and was raised in the small Midwestern tourist town of Clear Lake, Iowa. On Feb. 2, 1959, Dave spent his 16th birthday at the Surf Ballroom where...

Donald Ray Richie, 72, passed away from heart failure peacefully on October 8, 2023 in Williamsburg, Virginia surrounded by his loving family. Don was born in Shreveport, Louisiana and graduated from Northwood High School. He attended Abilene Christian University and graduated with a Bachelors of Business Administration. Don had a vast career in law enforcement serving on the bomb squad, swat team and was undercover for 14 years in VICE. Don retired as a Lieutenant after 37 years of protecting and serving. Don loved to regale friends and family with stories, especially from his time in law enforcement. An avid storyteller, he kept anyone in his presence entertained for hours. He was...

John Barry McCraw, MD, 83, of Williamsburg, VA, died after a long illness. He was buoyed by the compassionate care of his wife of 62 years, Cynthia, "the love of my life, the angel on my shoulder, and my constant friend and companion," as John called her. He was preceded in death by his father Doyle McCraw, MD, a physician-surgeon, his mother Nancy Barry McCraw, a history and Latin teacher, and his brother, Doyle, Jr., "Mackie." John is survived by his wife, Cynthia Richards McCraw, their children, Sarah McCraw and Peter Crow of Canterbury, NH, Carrie and Karl Higgins of Leesburg, VA, John Andrew and Amy Spence McCraw of Virginia Beach, VA, and grandchildren Jack, Beatrice, and Alice Crow;...