Boyd Kelly Nielsen, age 70, passed away at his home in Spanish Fork, UT, on Monday, August 24, 2020, at 5:32 p.m., due to complications derived from his long battle with ALS.

Kelly was born on June 23, 1950, in Nampa, ID, to Harold K. and Laraine (Jones) Nielsen.  When he was almost age 8, the family moved from Kuna, ID, to Rexburg, ID, where Kelly lived the remainder of his youth.  He graduated from Madison High School, Ricks College, and then from January 1971 to January 1973, served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Japan.  After his mission, he graduated twice from Brigham Young University with high honors.  Kelly was married to Delightra Butler, in the Idaho Falls Temple, on December 21, 1973.  Together they were blessed with 2 sons and 5 daughters.

Kelly taught for 12 years at Brigham Young University in the Geography Department.  Upon voluntarily leaving BYU, he worked for several insurance companies and other corporations and was vice president of several of them.  He was very active in his church and served much of his time in Scouting organizations where he had a significant impact on many young men and leaders.  He is a Silver Beaver.  He also served in the Bishopric, the High Council, was Stake Young Men’s President, High Priest Group Leader, among other callings. His personal passion was the great outdoors especially hunting, fishing, and river running.

Kelly was preceded in death by his parents Harold and Laraine Nielsen.  He is survived by all 7 of his sibling; his spouse, Delightra; all 7 of his children, and all 7 of his biological grandchildren.  His siblings are Ronald (Ruby) Nielsen, Sandy, UT; Douglas (Jeanne) Nielsen, Provo, UT; Toni (Robert) Taylor, Idaho Falls, ID; Jim (Tammy) Nielsen, Iona, ID; Kriss (Peggy) Nielsen, Shelley, ID; Rocky (Adele) Nielsen, Brigham City, UT; and Trudy (John) Bidwell, Chubbuck, ID.  His 7 children are Trek (Tiffany) Nielsen, Eagle Mountain, UT; Tyson Nielsen, Spanish Fork, UT; Trakell Davis, Orem, UT; Tasha (Jeremiah) Carlsen, Spanish Fork, UT; Trista (Brandon) Coombs, West Valley, UT; Tiandra Wilde, Spanish Fork, UT; and Kazlyn Nielsen, Salt Lake City, UT.

A viewing will be held at Walker Funeral Home, 187 So. Main Street, Spanish Fork, UT, on Sunday, August 30, 2020 from 6:00-8:00 p.m..  Funeral services will be held on Monday, August 31, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. at Walker Funeral Home, where a viewing will be held from 9:30-10:30 a.m. prior to the services.  Interment will be at the Spanish Fork City Cemetery.  Directly following the funeral services a brief graveside service will be held prior to the burial.

Kelly and Delightra would like to thank the Hearts for Hospice for all of their amazing work and dedication these last 2 ½ years; for sticking with us and helping us in our time of need.