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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
3Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Randy
4Nelson of Alton, formerly of East Alton, who passed away on
5February 9, 2024; and
 
6    WHEREAS, Randy Nelson was born to Frances (Sypolt) Nelson
7and Richard Nelson in Alton on August 12, 1966; he graduated
8from Roxana High School; he studied fire service management
9and earned a master's degree in fire service and homeland
10security from Southern Illinois University Carbondale; he
11served as a fire protection specialist in the U.S. Air Force,
12where he was stationed at Elmendorf Air Force Base in Alaska
13and then at Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota; he
14married Meghan Widenhoefer on September 25, 2020; and
 
15    WHEREAS, Randy Nelson worked as a firefighter at Olin
16Corporation before being hired by the East Alton Fire
17Department in 1989; he was promoted to lieutenant in 2000,
18captain in 2006, and chief in 2012; he retired from the fire
19department in 2015 and took on the position of village
20treasurer; that same year, he was published in Fire
21Engineering magazine; he also formerly taught fire science at
22Lewis and Clark Community College in Godfrey; and
 

 

 

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1    WHEREAS, Randy Nelson was an active member of the
2community, receiving several recognitions and awards; his
3community involvement included the East Alton Rotary, which
4awarded him the Paul Harris Award for Service; he also served
5as president and vice president of Local 2333 of the
6International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF); and
 
7    WHEREAS, Randy Nelson loved fast cars, motorcycles,
8fishing, and playing darts; he was also an avid boater; and
 
9    WHEREAS, Randy Nelson will be remembered for his
10commitment, dedication, passion, and love for his family, as
11well as his service to the community; and
 
12    WHEREAS, Randy Nelson was preceded in death by his parents
13and his sister-in-law, Donna Nelson; and
 
14    WHEREAS, Randy Nelson is survived by his wife; his
15stepchildren, Julian Watt, Lydia Watt, Gabriel Watt, Brittany
16(Dennis) Edney, and Katie (Austin) Sanders; five
17step-grandchildren; his sisters, Ornetta (Fred) Gilliam, Roxie
18(Mike Baker) Huck, and Karen (Terry) Good; his brothers,
19Richard Nelson and Boyd (Staci) Nelson; his nieces and
20nephews, Jeremy (Missy) Gilliam, Aaron (Kayla) Gilliam, Scott
21(Tonya Kelly) Gilliam, Dean (Heather Ogden) Huck, Derrick
22(Wendi) Good, Ryan (Tara) Good, Chris Nelson, Sarah (Lance

 

 

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1Harris) Nelson, and Dan (Keely) Nelson; several great-nieces
2and great-nephews; his friends; and his pets, Momo, Leo,
3Cheeto, Oliver, and Baby EJ; therefore, be it
 
4    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
5HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
6we mourn the passing of Randy Nelson and extend our sincere
7condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved
8him; and be it further
 
9    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
10presented to the family of Randy Nelson as an expression of our
11deepest sympathy.