Poster with a black circle and red X ballot for Hitler's election acquired by an American tourist

William (Bill) A. Nelson was born on August 16, 1916, in Phillipsburg, Kansas, to Dr. Enos A. and Constance Greiner Nelson. He had a younger brother, Theodore A., born in 1918. In 1933, William became involved in the American Youth Hostels (Hostelling International USA), a nonprofit organization created to promote understanding of different cultures among students.

In June 1934, William traveled to Europe on the first AYH trip with a group of fifteen to twenty others. When the group reached the German border, an African American student was refused admittance to the country. They decided to split into two groups; one would continue into Germany and one would stay in France. William joined the group going into Germany. His mother’s relatives emigrated to the United States from Germany in the late 1800s. They were joined by young Germans who would act as guides. One was a member of the Hitler youth; he told William that he had no choice but to join. William was there during the August 19, 1934, referendum to approve Hitler as Fuhrer, the consolidation of President and Chancellor. Ninety percent of the population voted in favor of Hitler. After the results were announced, William and 3 other boys, including one German, rode their bicycles along the Rhine River and watched the celebrations.

During World War II, William served as a US Army 1st lieutenant in occupied Japan. In March 1945, he married Ruth Kimball. After the war, he discovered that the young German he rode bicycles with had died on the Eastern front. William and Ruth worked and volunteered for AHY for many years, serving in several leadership positions. William passed away, age 93, on May 6, 2010, and Ruth passed away four days later, age 88.