HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — Former mayor Bobby Nelson died Friday, according to officials with the City of Huntington.
Nelson served as mayor from 1986 to 1993. He was Huntington’s first mayor after the city adopted a new charter and went with a ‘strong mayor’ form of government in 1986.
Current Huntington Mayor Steve Williams called Nelson a “giant champion of the rights of all” in a statement released by his office.
Nelson also served in the state legislature.
Williams full statement:
“A giant champion of the rights of all departed us today. Mayor Bobby Nelson built his life around creating a voice for the voiceless, offering opportunities for the disenfranchised and hope to the hopeless. He served our city over a span of four decades, whether it be in the West Virginia House of Delegates, the state Senate, as mayor of the City of Huntington or host of a popular radio show. He was never shy about advocating for those causes which drew his interests. Our community is better because of the leadership he provided. I valued my friendship with Mayor Nelson and call on all Huntingtonians to hold his family in our prayers.”