Keith Nelson

Wesley Keith Nelson, 63, of Newberry, passed away at his home on Saturday, June 24, 2023.

He was born in Walhalla in 1960 and grew up to be a man of compassion, discipline and good humor.

Keith dedicated his life to serving others and making a positive impact on the world around him. Throughout his career as an environmental safety officer at West Fraser, he demonstrated an unwavering commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of those around him. His colleagues fondly remember him as a trusted leader who always put the needs of others before his own. He worked for West Fraser from October 1995 until his retirement in October 2019.

Keith proudly served in the US Navy with the Submarine Force from 1978 - 1995 and his service to his country was a reflection of his unwavering loyalty and love for America. He retired as a MM1 Specalist.

In addition to his professional accomplishments, Keith had a deep passion for many hobbies and interests, including golfing, fishing, NASCAR and cooking on the grill. He was an avid Carolina Gamecock fan. It's safe to say that anyone who spent time with Wesley was left feeling better for it.

While we mourn the loss of this great man, we find comfort in knowing that Keith lived a fulfilling life surrounded by those he loved. We honor all that he accomplished during his time with us and know that he will forever be remembered as someone whose life brought joy and inspiration to so many individuals across different walks of life.

He is survived by his wife, Maxine Elaine Chavis Nelson; his mother, Nelva Kleckly Kunkle of Newberry; a son, Michael Anthony Vause (Amanda) of Andrews; a daughter, Amanda Elaine Kordusky of Surfside Beach; brothers, Michael “Mike” Nelson of West Columbia and Bobby Kunkle (Jill) of Lexington; sisters, Donna Lever (Mark) of Pomaria, Lana Bannister (Wayne) of Prosperity, Teri Coley of Columbia, Sara Ackerman of Newberry and Brenda Cribb (Cliff) of Georgetown; grandchildren, Nicholas “Nick” Vause and Noah Vause of Georgetown, Lillie Roberts of Surfside, Jenna Kordusky and Oein Kordusky of West Virginia; nieces Brittany Hughes, Lindsey Lever, Whitney Lever, Ainsley Kunkle, Abby Kunkle and Summer Tanner; nephews, Daniel “Ross” Ackerman and Walter Ackerman; mother-in-law, Mary Chavis of Georgetown; aunt, Thelma “TT” Jones who was like a second mother

Keith is also survived by extended family members that he considered as brothers and sister, Herbert Hutcheson of Hephzibah, GA, Quinton Wilson (Jennifer) and their children, Lauren, Hayden, Jack and Emilee (Kenneth) and their child, Emmett all of Newberry, Gary Nolker (Kristi) and their children, Jared (Gabbreail) and their children, Ahlylah and Emma and Shelbi (Dakota) and their child, Grayson of N. Vernon, IN and a Amanda Cupp of Hephzibah, GA.

He was predeceased by his fathers, Walter Wesley Nelson and Robert Louis Kunkle.

Memorial services with Navy Military honors will be held at 11:00 am Thursday, June 29, 2023, at the McSwain-Evans Funeral Home by the Rev. Wako Cotney and Rev. Michael Anthony Vause, Jr. The family will receive friends following the service.

Honorary pallbearers will be Johnny Frick, Bernie Metts, Barry Koon, Mark Hawkins, Perry Eargle, Gary Manning, Richard Amick, Russell Kibler, Frank Kiker, Terry Koon, Quinton Wilson and Gary Nolker

At his request memorials are suggested to be made to the Boy's Farm, PO Box 713, Newberry, SC 29108.