He was kind of a handyman. He could fix anything.

The following appeared in the Joliet Herald News, Joliet, Illinois. June 22, 1996

Beck, Wm. Nelson -

Sunday, June 16, 1996. Age 72. Survived by his wife Beverly, two sons, Bill (Linda), John (Eileen), of Marquette, MI., one daughter Belinda (Gary), and three grandchildren, Danny, Sara, and Jennifer, and two step grandchildren, Stacey and Troy. One brother, Capt. Frank (Marion) Beck of Pensacola, FL. Two foster sisters, Sylvia (Roy) Cohn and Perlina Strain. Preceded in death by his parents, Dr. Frank Beck and Dr. Bessie Beck of La Paz, Bolivia, and his sister, Miriam Beck Knowles. Attended college at Dakota Wesleyan and the University of South Dakota. Navy pilot in WWII. Physicist at Argonne National Laboratory for 39 years. At Argonne, Nelson discovered that ultrasound could be used instead of x-rays to examine the human body. His discovery in 1957 led to today's modern ultrasonic scanners.

A memorial service will be held Wednesday evening at the Grace United Methodist Church on Larkin and Avalon in Joliet. Visitation with the family from 7-8 pm, with service at 8 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorials to Grace church would be appreciated.