Henry William Nichols, III "Bill"
1947-2022
Bill passed away on February 9 th , 2022, surrounded by his family after a hard-fought battle with a long-term illness. He was born on April 17 th , 1947, in Hartford, Connecticut to Anne Jordan and Henry William Nichols, Jr. The family moved to Oklahoma City where Bill attended Zachary Taylor and Horace Mann Elementary Schools and graduated from Harding High School in 1965. While at Harding, he made many lifelong friends and met the love of his life and future wife, Pamela Harris.
Bill graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a Political Science Degree and was an active member of the Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity. In 1966 he joined the United States Army 45 th Infantry Brigade and was honorably discharged in 1968. Bill then continued his service in the Reserves until 1972. During this time Bill and Pam were married in Oklahoma City at the Mayfair Church of Christ in 1968. After his service Bill began his professional career in Winston Salem, North Carolina with Westinghouse Electric Corp. Bill and Pam enjoyed the East coast and made lifelong friends, but to them Oklahoma was always home. Bill accepted a job with Kerr-McGee Corp. where he had a long, distinguished career holding many positions in their Nuclear, Coal, and Oil & Gas divisions until his retirement in 2003 as the Director of Facilities and Materials Management.
Bill was an avid golfer and enjoyed playing many courses around the world. But, his most fond memories of golf were on Oklahoma courses with his golf buddies. He loved "the farm" and his horses and donkeys, which were lovingly referred to as his "pasture pets" especially his donkey Joe Pete. The farm became a gathering place for friends and family. Bill would help anyone with any project whether he knew what he was doing or not. He was always up for the challenge. It would be a lie if we didn't say that everyone secretly hoped he would bring Walt Joyce along to supervise the job!
Bill is survived by his loving wife of 53 years Pam. He is also survived by his sons, whom he adored and loved going on a good adventure with, Brandon and his wife Stephani and their daughters Cate and Clare of Edmond and Bryan and his children Ashlyn and Reed of Norman. His grandchildren were the light of his life. Bill achieved many things in life, but his most cherished accomplishment was being called Papa. Bill loved spending time with his family whether at the house, the farm or enjoying all of their many activities.
He left behind three adoring sisters, Barbara Green and her husband Jim, Leslie Kidd and her late husband Mark and Carolyn Lamiell and her husband Tim. In his sister's eyes, Bill could do no wrong and was always there for them when they needed him. Bill is also survived by sisters in law, Harriet Havenstrite, Diana Hansen and her husband Bill and Terri Davis and her husband Richard. He also left behind many adoring nieces and nephews and their children who became very fond of any story told by their "Uncle Bull"!
Bill was an active member at Saint Luke's United Methodist Church. A celebration of his life will be held on March 1st, 2022 at 2pm at the Saint Luke's Edmond Campus. In lieu of flowers, it was Bill's wish to make contributions to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Arrangements are under the direction of Matthews Funeral Home in Edmond, Oklahoma.