Mr. Bill "Dr Dirt" Nelan

February 12, 1938 - September 11, 2018

Bill “Dr. Dirt” Nelan, 80, of Washington, died at 8 p.m. on September 11, 2018 at Reflections Memory Care in Washington. He was born on February 12, 1938 in Peoria to William H. and Goldie (Vinovich) Nelan. He married Orpha L. Silber on October 20, 1957 in East Peoria. She survives. Bill is also survived by one son Mark (Bridget) Nelan of Germantown Hills; two daughters Susan (Bennett) Hayes of Brimfield and Natalie (Jason Krey) Nelan of Peoria; one sister Delores Morton of East Peoria; and four grandsons Rob, Lee, Joe and Jake Nelan. Bill graduated EPCHS class of 1956. He worked for N.E. Finch Co and later worked as a demonstrator and instructor of heavy equipment for Caterpillar for over 30 years. He was a member of the Hilton Masonic Lodge. The family would like to thank the staff of Reflections Memory Care and Transitions Hospice Care for the love and respect that they showed Bill and his family. Memorial service will be Saturday, September 29 at 12 p.m. at Gary Deiters Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc., 444 E. Washington St., East Peoria, with a visitation one hour prior. Inurnment will be at Fondulac Cemetery. Memorials may be made to St. Jude Midwest Affiliate.