Louis Richard Nelms Sr., "Sonny", of Walnut Hill passed away at 8:15 a.m., Thursday, March 26, 2020 at his home. He was born on June 20, 1926, south of Walnut Hill, Illinois, the son of John L. and Cora (Gray) Nelms. He married Jacqueline Esther (Turner) Nelms on January 15, 1948.

Louis is survived by his wife, Jacqueline, his daughter, Connie Lou and husband David Diederich, his son, Louis Richard Jr. and wife Patricia, son, Luis R.; four grandchildren, Avery Anne (Nicholas) Watts, Timothy Diederich, Emily Ruth (Marc) DeWalt, and, Katherine Hester (Kevin) Crone; three great-grandchildren, Alexis Diederich, Kendall Jaqueline and Kylie Helen Watts; sisters-in-law, Barbara Nelms, Betty Nelms, and Kay Gulley; and many nieces and nephews.

Louis was preceded in death by both his parents; three brothers, John C., Jerry, and Ronald G. Nelms; and daughter, Pamela Ann Nelms.

Louis served in the United States Air Force for 26 years from 1943 to 1970 and retired as a Chief Master Sgt. His missions and tours as a flight engineer and aircraft maintenance controller included: Air Rescue (Japan 1945-46); Berlin Air Lift (107 mission flights, 1948-49); Weather Recon (McClelland AFB., CA, 1950-51), Air Rescue (Guam 1952-54); Air Evac (Scott AFB, Il 1954 and 1957-65); Fighter Bombers (England AFB, LA and Aviano, Italy 1955-56); maintenance control of all support (Malmstrom AFB, Montana, 1969-70). Sgt. Nelms was awarded two Air Force Commendation Medals for Meritorious Service.

After retirement, Louis was self-employed as a horizontal boring contractor and co-owned an oil business with his brother, Jerry.

Louis was a member of the Little Grove Christian Church, Centralia Masonic Lodge 291 (55 years), the Ainad Shrine, the Scottish Rite, Jefferson County Shrine Club, VFW, the American Legion, Operating Engineers 520, the Berlin Air Lift Veterans Association, and the Air Force Sgts. Association.

Louis was afforded world class fishing opportunities in Panama and Montana. He greatly enjoyed fishing Rend and Carlyle lakes with "Jackie" and Lou Jr. Louis proudly furnished frozen fillets to family and friends. Louis' family gratefully acknowledges Carlton Coker, Louis' best friend and fishing buddy who accompanied "Sonny" and enjoyed his famed story telling on their fishing journeys extending into his very last year.

A private graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, March 30, 2020 at Little Grove Cemetery. Military rites will be accorded by Air Force Honor Guard from Scott Air Force Base. A celebration of life service will be held at a later date. Memorials may be made in Louis' honor to Little Grove Cemetery Fund and will be accepted at the Irvin Macz Funeral Home in Centralia. Online condolences and memories of Louis may be shared with the family by visiting www.maczfuneralhomes.com and/or on the funeral home's Facebook page.