CLINTON — Edmond Ray “Sonny” Nelson, 93, of Clinton, passed away at 7:25 p.m. on December 18, 2020, at the Warner Hospital and Health Services, Clinton.

Public graveside services with military honors will be conducted at 10:15 a.m. on Wednesday, December 23, 2020, at Mausoleum Park Cemetery, Clinton, with Cody Monkman officiating. The family entrusted Calvert Funeral Home, Clinton, with arrangements.

Memorials may be directed to Second Chance for Pets pet adoption or the DeWitt County Friendship Center.

Sonny was born on July 13, 1927, in Wapella, the son of Charles Anderson and Ethel May (Willoughby) Nelson, Sr. He married Barbara L. Monkman on July 16, 1951, in Pekin, Ark. She passed awayon February 27, 2012.

Survivors include his children, Michael Ray (Pandora) Nelson, Maroa; Charles (Paula Jo) Nelson, Clinton; David Wayne (Darla) Nelson, Clinton; and Yvonne (Jerry) Blount, Oreana, Ill., six grandchildren, five great- grandchildren, siblings, Emma Wise, Clinton; Mildred (Ernie) Danner, Murfreesboro, Tenn.; and Donald (Ruth) Nelson, Clinton.

He was preceded in death by his parents, granddaughter, Darah Zwiefel, and brothers, Howard Nelson and Charles Nelson, Jr.

A U.S. Army veteran, Sonny served his country during WWII. He was the owner and operator of Nelson’s Spreading Service until his retirement in 1991. Sonny enjoyed numerous fishing trips to Minnesota. He loved country and Grand Ole Opry music, but most of all, he loved his family and spending time with them.

Online condolences may be made at www.calvertmemorial.com