William Nichols
William Nichols died of cancer at his home in Ben Lomond on February 20, 2009.
Bill was born February 16, 1923 in New York City, to Mary and Leslie Nichols. He lived in Larchmont, New York for nine years before moving to Ithaca, New York, where his father built a hospital. The family moved to Palo Alto, CA in 1924, and Bill attended Addison Grammar School, Palo Alto High School, and Stanford University where he was a member of Chi Psi fraternity.
Bill joined the Air Force in 1943 and became an aviation cadet, earning his wings in 1945. He became an instructor and then a B-17 pilot. Upon returning from England, he was stationed at Langley Field in Virginia, flying B-29s.
After the Air Force, Bill went into radio work at KCRA in Sacramento and later at KFRC in San Francisco. He was a radio salesman and station manager for over 20 years and worked in display advertising at the Palo Alto Times for many years.
Bill lived in Palo Alto with his wife, Peggy, who died in 1982. He moved to Ben Lomond in 1984. He is survived by his wife, Lynne Degnan Nichols, his children, Kathy, Ted and Bob, seven grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and his sister Robin Cross, and his faithful companion, Goldie.
A celebration of his life will be held at a later date. Remembrances may be given in Bill's name to: Hospice of Santa Cruz, 940 Disc Dr., Scotts Valley, CA 95066
Published in the Santa Cruz Sentinel on 2/26/2009.