Background
Nelson, William Rankin was born on December 12, 1921 in Charlottesville, Virginia, United States. Son of Hugh Thomas and Edith (Rankin) Nelson.
Nelson, William Rankin was born on December 12, 1921 in Charlottesville, Virginia, United States. Son of Hugh Thomas and Edith (Rankin) Nelson.
Bachelor, University Virginia, Charlottesville, 1943. Doctor of Medicine, University Virginia, Charlottesville, 1945.
Intern, Vanderbilt University Hospital, Nashille, 1945-1946;
resident in surgery, University of Virginia Hospital, Charlottesville, 1949-1951;
fellow surgical oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York City, 1951-1955;
instructor, U. Colorado School Medicine, Denver, 1955-1957;
assistant clinical professor, U. Colorado School Medicine, 1962-1987;
clinical professor surgery, U. Colorado School Medicine, since 1987. Assistant professor Medical College Virginia, Richmond, 1957-1962. Member Executive Committee U. Colorado Cancer Center.
Member of national board, national Executive Committee American Cancer Society.
Captain United States Army Air Force, 1946-1948. Fellow American College Surgeons (Board of Governors 1984-1989). Member American Medical Association, International Society Surgery, British Association Surgical Oncology, Royal Society Medicine (United Kingdom), Society Surgical Oncology (president 1975-1976), Society Head and Neck Surgeons (president 1986-1987), American Cancer Society (president Colorado division 1975-1977, Executive Committee, national board directors, delegate director from Colorado division 1985-1994), American Society Clinical Oncology, Western Surgical Association Colorado Medical Society, Denver Medical Society, Denver Academy Surgery, Rocky Mount Oncology Society, University Club, Rotary.
Married Nancy Laidley, March 17, 1956 (divorced 1979). Children: Robin Page Nelson Russel, Susan Kimberly Nelson Wright, Anne Rankin Nelson Cron. Married Pamela Morgan Phelps, July 5,1984.