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With profound sadness and deep gratitude for the life he lived, we announce the passing of Byron Nelson on Dec. 11, 2025 due to unforeseen complications from a mitral valve repair in Billings, Montana. He was surrounded in love by his wife and children at the time of his passing.
Byron was born Nov. 5, 1945 in Temple, Texas, 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, Wyoming. He was the eldest of four brothers, twin Bruce (JoAnn) of Pine Bluffs, Wyoming, Brad (Linda Kay) of Cheyenne, Wyoming, and Brent (Cheryl) of Sheridan, Wyoming. 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, Wyoming, in 1964. In 1966 he was drafted into the U.S. Army and served in Vietnam until 1968.
In 1971, he married Jeanette Cooper in Laramie, Wyoming. Together they would raise three beloved children Shaun Nelson (Keyo) of Eagle River, Alaska, Brandi Bilyeu (Chris) of Sheridan, Wyoming, and Joleen Sanders (Jason) of Folsom, California. 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, Wyoming, 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 Cordae.
Byron was fortunate in health, he could be found doing his morning walks, workouts 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. Kane’s Funeral Home in Sheridan is in charge of arrangements.
