Byron Nelson

With profound sadness and deep gratitude for the life he lived, we announce the
passing of Byron Nelson on December 11, 2025 due to unforeseen complications from
a mitral valve repair in Billings, MT. He was surrounded in love by his wife and children
at the time of his passing.

Byron was born November 5, 1945 in Temple, TX to the late Earle and Anna Nelson. He
lived in Kansas until the age of 4, when the family moved to homestead on Heart
Mountain outside of Powell, WY. He was the eldest of four brothers, twin Bruce (JoAnn)
of Pine Bluffs, WY, Brad (Linda Kay) of Cheyenne, WY, and Brent (Cheryl) of Sheridan,
WY. He would share a loving and teasing bond with his brothers his entire life. In his
younger days he enjoyed riding horseback in the open country around Powell with his
twin brother. Byron graduated from Powell, WY in 1964. In 1966, he was drafted into
the US Army and served in Vietnam until 1968.

In 1971, he married Jeanette Cooper in Laramie, WY. Together they would raise three
beloved children Shaun Nelson (Keyo) of Eagle River, AK, Brandi Bilyeu (Chris) of
Sheridan, WY, and Joleen Sanders (Jason) of Folsom, CA. He graduated from the
University of Wyoming in 1972 with a BS in vocational education. He taught vocational
studies at Greybull High School and then Powell High School. In 1983 he moved his
family to Sheridan, WY and began work for the University of Wyoming Agriculture and
Research Station. He would work there until his retirement in 2011, after 28 years of
service.

Byron loved the outdoors, whether hunting, fishing, or farming his entire life. He was
the family go to for weather and road reports. He could always be found with a dog by
his side, as he loved their company. Being a grandpa was his greatest joy, he loved and
followed his grandchildren in all their activities: Chyanne, Sydni, Hayden, and Ella. He
was also a great-grandfather to Andre and Corday.

Byron was fortunate in health, he could be found doing his morning walks, work-outs or
chopping wood up to his last few days. He will always be remembered for his devotion
to his family and friends, his work ethic, and love of finding free things. A celebration of
life will be held at a later date.

Online condolences may be written at https://www.kanefuneral.com/

Champion Kane Funeral Home has been entrusted with local arrangements.