Reverend Culver H Nelson D.D., L.H.D, known as "Bill", passed away on April 12, 2019, five days after his 93rd birthday. After graduating from University of Redlands, Bill served with the American Bible Society and upon his ordination in 1952 began his ministry in Pacoima, California. The church grew from 15 members to over 650 members by the time of his departure in 1954. Having passed on an opportunity to take over a church in Santa Barbara, Bill chose Phoenix, a city of just 90,000, knowing it was poised for growth. In 1954, he was the Founding Minister of Church of the Beatitudes followed by the creation of the Beatitudes Campus in 1965, from which he served thousands of parishioners and hundreds of elderly citizens. By 1979, Church of the Beatitudes had become the largest active congregation in its denomination throughout the United States. Bill contributed to Phoenix in diverse areas such as labor-management relations, the arts, transportation, education, care of the elderly and mentally ill. He served in numerous community and religious capacities including General Chairman, Phoenix Forward Long-range Goals Commission for the City of Phoenix; Chaplain (occasional) Arizona Legislature; Executive Committee, Valley Leadership; Board of Directors, Phoenix Symphony Association and Arizonans for Jobs and Energy; Chairman, Agricultural Employment Relations Board; Founding Member of Phoenix Forty; Advisory Board of Planned Parenthood and Crisis Nursery; Founding Director, ASU Board of Advisors (Sun City), and Board of Directors Interfaith Counseling Service northwest. Another nonprofit concern, Center DOAR (development of order resources) he founded 65 years ago has grown to one of the largest of its kind in the nation, with outreach programs for older adults. Bill was preceded in death by his wife, Dolores “Dee”. He leaves behind three children, seven grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. His service will be held on Tuesday, April 23rd, 2019, 4pm in the sanctuary of the Church of the Beatitudes, 555 W. Glendale Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85021. The family will receive friends before the service beginning at 3pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Church of the Beatitudes, or Beatitudes Campus Retirement Center (1610 W. Glendale, Phoenix AZ 85021). (Source: Arizona Republic)