Nelson W. Maxwell, 84, of Bossier City, Louisiana, formerly of Canton, Illinois, passed away on May 24, 2022 in his home surrounded by family members.

He was baptized and a lifelong member of Wesley United Methodist Church in Canton, Illinois.  While traveling, it was always important to Nelson and Dona to attend services at the local churches.  While staying at their winter home, they enjoyed attending First United Methodist Church of Donna in Donna, TX.

He was born May 12, 1938 in Pinkneyville, Illinois to Ellis and Mary "Alice" Maxwell who preceded him in death.  Also, preceded in death by brothers, Donald Ellis Maxwell and Gale Brison Maxwell.

Mr. Maxwell is survived by his wife, Dona Maxwell, also of Canton, Illinois.   Also, surviving children are David (Marilyn) Barnette of Canton, Illinois; Robin Maddox of Hill City, Minnesota; Joy Mestre of Kilgore, Texas; Michael (Donna) Maxwell of Lombard, Illinois; Dale (Mena) Maxwell of Troy Missouri and Catherine (Tommy) Whitlock of Bossier City, Louisiana. He is also survived by 18 grandchildren, 28 great grandchildren and 2 great great grandchildren.

He was raised in Canton, IL at the age of 15 he was stricken with Polio and confined to a wheelchair.  He was hospitalized in Peoria, IL and transferred to Roosevelt Warm Springs Rehabilitation Center in Warm Springs, GA until 1954.  He then returned home to Canton and completed high school in 1956.  After graduating he moved to Daytona, FL where he studied architectural drafting and business education.

He did architectural drafting after graduating, then took a job with the Army Corps of Engineers at Cape Canaveral in 1960.  With the Army Corps of Engineers he also worked in southern Illinois from 1968-1973 where he earned a certificate fro engineering technology.  In 1973, he transferred to Hannibal, MO where he worked on the Clarence Cannon Dam until 1980 when he transferred to the Red River Project in Shreveport, LA. He remained there and lived in Bossier City, LA until he retired in 1993.  After retirement, he and his wife traveled all around the nation in an RV.  Eventually, they settled with a winter home in southern Texas and a summer home in Canton, IL.  In 2019, they relocated back to Bossier City to near family.

During his years of service with the Army Corps of Engineers, he received at least 15 awards for outstanding, superior, and exemplary performance.  He submitted multiple suggestions that were accepted and utilized by the government to save millions of dollars on job sites. He also was awarded outstanding handicapped employee of the year in 1981,1982, and 1986.

In his spare time Nelson many hobbies including, woodworking, motorcycling (even from his wheelchair), shooting pool, and RV'ing.

He was loved and will be missed my everyone he met.