Bill Nielsen

Funeral Services for Bill Nielsen, 80-year-old Buffalo native who passed away Thursday at the Billings Clinic will be held Friday, December 16^th at 2:00 p.m. at the Harness Funeral Home Chapel in Buffalo with Pastor Dan Gay officiating.  Visitation will be held on Thursday from 1:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. and on Friday from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.  Interment will be in Willow Grove Cemetery with graveside services to follow the funeral.  In lieu of flowers, donations in Bill’s memory may be made to the Buffalo USA Wrestling, 161 Hemlock, Buffalo Wyoming 82834. Online condolences may be made at www.harnessfuneralhome.com

William Roger Nielsen was born on January 30, 1942, in Buffalo, Wyoming to T.W. and Dorothy Nielsen.  He grew up in Johnson County and attended French Creek Country School through the 8^th grade.  He then attended Johnson County High School.  After high school, he joined the U.S. Army and served in South East Asia during the Vietnam War. Following an honorable discharge, Bill returned to Buffalo where he was married on June 20th, 1964, to Linda Joubert.  Bill and Linda made their home in Buffalo where Bill worked for Platte Valley Construction as a heavy equipment operator.  In 1968 he took a job with Johnson County Road and Bridge until 1978 when he went to work for Big Horn Coal. Bill spent the rest of his working life driving School Bus for Johnson County School District #1 as “Bus Driver Bill”.  During the summers he worked on the Vignaroli Ranch on Clear Creek.  Bill retired in 2017 and continued living in Buffalo until his death.

Bill was a member of the VFW, the American Legion, and the NRA. He loved spending time on the mountain with his family, fishing, hunting elk, and camping.  He was the primary school activities driver and was a passionate wrestling fan.  He enjoyed snow machining and playing Cribbage. He was also a diehard Denver Broncos Fan. He is survived by his wife Linda of Buffalo; three sons, Allen Nielsen and his wife Michelle of Decker, Montana, Mike Nielsen and his wife Tanna of Buffalo and Justin Nielsen also of Buffalo; ten grandchildren and eleven great-grandkids.  He was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, Shirley and Charlene, and one brother Gene.