Roll Call Tribute

William Haskell Nelkin
June 15, 1936 - November 23, 2022

William Haskell Nelkin, born June 15, 1936, died November 23, 2022.

Willy grew up in Houston, and spent many days playing sports at the Jewish Community Center on Hermann Drive. He graduated from San Jacinto High School in 1954. For the remainder of his life, he remained close to the friends he gathered.

Willy attended Texas A&M University, graduating in 1958 with a degree in Animal Husbandry, and remained an uncompromising Aggie for the rest of his life.

In 1963, William met Patricia Forman of Tyler, TX. They were married the following June, and for the next 58 years journeyed together through raising their children Lane and Libby, operating real estate and retail businesses, and attending collectors shows in pursuit of their shared interest in antique advertising memorabilia. Along the way, their home was beautifully furnished by Pat, showered with collectibles, and infused with Pat’s inspired great cooking.

William worked at the Nelkin Packing Company as salesman until the company was sold. He earned his commercial real estate license, and transacted numerous investment property deals while vice-president of Shefman Investments. Sustained by his winning track record, encouraged by his wife, Bill ventured into the commercial real estate business on his own, as CEO of Nelkin Properties, and confidently and patiently navigated the turbulent waves and crashes of Houston’s growth in the 1980s.

Emboldened by the expansion of their collectibles and the passion of other collectors and enthusiasts whom they met at antique advertising events, Bill and Pat launched their retail store, Cola Collection, which they operated at Memorial City mall and Rice Village. They built long-lasting relationships with many of their clients and customers, and endeavored to locate rare, unique, special additions for their fellow collectors.

Retired from retail, but still trading memorabilia, William and Pat had ample time to enjoy their grandsons, Zane and Zander, teaching the important lessons, like the alphabet and numbers, then reading and math, and the importance of loving the Aggies.

William lived a full measure of years, appropriately preceded by his parents Morris Nelkin and Belle Nelkin Margoliner, maternal grandparents Harry and Miriam Galperin, and in-laws Lewis Forman and Fannie Forman Hochman.

He is survived by his beautiful bride of 58 years, Patricia, children Lane Nelkin, and Libby & Andrew Mintz, grandchildren Zane and Zander Nelkin and their mother Dora Nelkin, his siblings Rae Uzick (Max), Leon Nelkin (Renata), and Tina Nelkin (Glynda), sister-in-law Marsha Orloff (Gary), devoted close friends, and numerous cousins.

Contributions in William’s memory may be made to Seven Acres Jewish Senior Care Services, or Texas A&M School of Veterinary Medicine Stevenson Companion Animal Life-Care Center (https://vetmed.tamu.edu/stevenson-center/support/). 

A memorial service for William will be held at 12:30 p.m. Sunday December 18, 2022 at Congregation Beth Israel, 5600 North Braeswood, Houston. Please contact Houston Jewish Funerals 713-666-0257 for additional information.