Nelson Silsbee Gillis of Pasadena, Calif., died Sept. 11, 1999.

      He was born April 5, 1939, in Butte to Herman and Clara Gillis.   He graduated from Butte High School and received his bachelor of arts degree from Harvard University and his master of science and doctorate degrees from the University of Washington, Seattle.

      He worked for Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, N.M.   He was a principal analyst, technical staff member in major research and development firms, private consultant in the aerospace and communications industries, taught at the university level and was an instructor in public schools in California.

      Nelson's parents and cousin, Marvin Nelson, preceded him in death.

      Survivors include his cousins and their spouses, Richard and Dorothy Nelson, Albuquerque, Kathy and Brian Matise, Las Cruces, N.M., Roy and Thuy Nelson, Albuquerque, Richard and Carrie Nelson, Dallas, Texas, Tamara and Paul Arlin, Fresno Calif., Dannielle and Brian Agena, Albuquerque.

      Burial was in the Nelson plot, Lower Hill Cemetery in Anaconda.