William Franklin Nielsen, III

William Franklin Nielsen, III, age 42, of New Castle, Delaware passed away on Friday, January 3, 2025. William was born on May 14, 1982 to Michele Thomas and William Franklin Nielsen, Jr. in Salem, New Jersey. William attended West Carroll High School in Atwood, Tennessee where he was the elected president of his senior class and he graduated as the valedictorian. When it came time for him to go to college, William chose to attend the University of Tennessee, Knoxville where he earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and a master’s degree in education. A lifelong learner at heart, William would continue to seek educational opportunities throughout his life, and he subsequently earned an additional master’s degree in educational administration from the University of Delaware. It was at the University of Tennessee where William met his future husband, Chad. They eventually settled in New Castle, Delaware where they spent the ensuing years building a beautiful life together which included their beloved dogs Rocky, Castor, Bully, Sunny, Hamilton, and Halsey. After settling in New Castle, William began his teaching career. His passion for teaching was evident from the beginning, and his devotion to the profession and his students grew with every new school year. Throughout his nearly 15 years as an educator, he created a learning environment that was dynamic, fun, and impactful. Students would often tell him how safe he made them feel in his classroom. He inspired countless lives through his teaching, and his legacy will live on through the hearts and minds he touched. William had many hobbies and interests, including a deep love for movies. Among his many favorites were Harry Potter, Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, and anything Marvel. He also loved classic sitcoms, and he could quote lines from any episode of The Golden Girls and Frasier verbatim. He was also a gamer, and he spent countless hours playing games like Starcraft and World of Warcraft with his brothers and friends. William was also active in his community, and he was a proud member of the New Castle Presbyterian Church. To know William was to know his empathy, generosity, and kindness. He always greeted you with a smile–and what a smile it was! His smile could light up even the darkest of rooms. He gave the best hugs that made you never want to let go. His compassion was limitless, and he would be the first to lend a helping hand or offer a shoulder to cry on when it was needed. He was devoted to his family, especially his husband Chad. William was deeply loved by all who knew him. He was magical. William was preceded in death by his father, William Franklin Nielsen, Jr. His maternal grandmother and paternal grandparents. He is survived by his husband Chad, his mother Michele, his brothers Jordan, Eric (Brandy), and Patrick (Cheyanne), his brother from another mother, Nick (Michaela), his nieces Kylie, Kennedy, Kimberly, and Charlotte, his nephew, Bastian, and a loving extended family. A visitation for family and friends will be held from 4:30 pm until 6 pm on Thursday, January 9, 2025, at New Castle Presbyterian Church in Old New Castle, 25 East Second Street, New Castle, DE 19720, where a funeral service will begin at 6 pm. A reception will follow in the Church’s fellowship hall. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in his name to The Trevor Project, an organization that was close to William’s heart, Attn: Development, P.O. Box 69232, West Hollywood, CA 90069 or online by clicking here.

William Franklin Nielsen, III

May 14, 1982 - January 3, 2025