Scott Paper Executive William H. Nelson III, a Swarthmore High School graduate, died Jan. 28. He was 92, writes Gary Miles for The Philadelphia Inquirer.

Mr. Nelson was a decorated athlete, an outdoorsman and a scholar.

 He started at Scott Paper as a paper packer on shift work at the Chester plant.

He retired a top executive at Scott Plaza in Tinicum Township.

“He was ambitious and wicked smart,” said his daughter, Dr. Miriam Nelson. “Working with him, people said they felt empowered. He built community.”

Born May 4, 1928 I Winston-Salem, N.C., he moved to Chester when he was 14.

He played high school and college football, was class president, president of the National Honor Society and winner of the Swarthmore Foundation Scholarship.

Mr. Nelson graduated Harvard Business School in 1952 and served two years in the Air Force.

He worked at the Scott Paper Plan in the summer while at Harvard and returned there after the Air Force.

 For 31 years, he worked the night shift at the plant, was company treasurer and eventually executive vice president.

Mr. Nelson retired from Scott Paper in 1987, at 59.

Read more about the life of William H. Nelson III at The Philadelphia Inquirer.