Eldon Williams, an 87-year-old white male from Alton, Illinois, passed away on October 16, 2018. Known affectionately as "Twirp," Williams was a well-respected figure in his community, having served as the Godfrey Tax Assessor for 40 years and as a member of the Godfrey Village Board. He was also a Realtor at Landmark Realty in Godfrey and a member of St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church.
His death was not due to natural causes but was the result of a tragic and violent incident.
On the day of his death, Eldon Williams was found inside a vehicle parked in the driveway of a home on West Delmar Avenue in Alton. He had been shot, and neighbors reported hearing gunshots just before noon. Williams was at the residence to prepare it for sale when the incident occurred. The community was shocked and saddened by the loss of such a prominent and beloved figure.
The investigation into Eldon Williams' death quickly led to the arrest of Donald Nelson, a 36-year-old man from Alton. Nelson was apprehended shortly after the shooting when citizens reported a suspicious man in their house. He was found wearing clothes that matched the description of the suspect. Nelson was charged with the first-degree murder of Eldon Williams, along with additional charges of armed violence, criminal trespass, unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, and possession of a stolen firearm.
In October 2020, Donald Nelson was convicted of the first-degree murder of Eldon Williams. The court proceedings revealed that Nelson had shot Williams while he was in his car, leading to his immediate death. The motive behind the murder was not clearly established, but the evidence presented was sufficient to secure a conviction. Nelson was sentenced to 80 years in prison, with 40 years for the murder and an additional 25 years for an enhanced gun charge. He was also sentenced to 15 years for the other charges, to be served consecutively. Nelson will be required to serve 100% of his sentence, ensuring that he will spend the rest of his life in prison.
The sentencing of Donald Nelson brought some measure of closure to the family and community of Eldon Williams. Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Haine expressed hope that the sentence would provide peace to Williams' family, knowing that Nelson would never again pose a threat to the community. The tragic death of Eldon Williams highlighted the impact of violent crime on small communities and the importance of swift justice in such cases.
