Roll Call Tribute

(Published in) Tulsa (OK) World (on) October 8, 2014

William L Nicholson

William L. "Nick" Nicholson, 88, of Tulsa passed away on September 21, 2014. He was born on February 9,1926 in Center, Texas to parents, Hugh and Jeffie Nicholson. His parents, along with his brothers, Everett and Kenneth (who was lost in WW II), predeceased him.

After graduating from Center High School in 1943, he entered Texas A&M College. His schooling was interrupted when he answered the call of "The Greatest Generation" to serve in the U.S. Navy during WW II. He proudly served his country in the South Pacific aboard the USS Suamico, and USS Putnam which survived heavy enemy attacks from October 24 to November 3, 1944. Nick witnessed the raising of the Stars and Stripes on Iwo Jima, April 11, 1944. He was honorably discharged in May of '46, and awarded numerous citations, metals, and battle ribbons. A trip to the WW II Memorial in Washington D.C. was a moving experience for him.

Nick resumed his studies at Texas A&M, graduating in 1949. He then started his long and succesful career with Gulf Oil in Houston, Texas. He married Mary Ernestine Stewart in Center, Texas on July 29, 1950. They had three children: R Scott, Marsha, and Mark. The family lost "Tina" to cancer in 1964. He gladly accepted a transfer to Tulsa at Warren Petroleum to start a new life for himself and the children. After thirty-seven years of service, he retired from Chevron Oil in 1986 as manager of Natural Gas Sales and Supplies.

The move to Tulsa brought new friends and activities for his family; among them, was an invitation from his daughter, to her sixth grade teacher, to attend a surprise birthday party for her dad. Consequently, on June 10, 1967, Nick married Sandra Forster Schelb, and soon after generously adopted her sons: Scott Wm. and Stephen. They began the journey to blend their families. Tribute is given to Nick for 47 years of love and dedication to this family.

Nick had many other leadership positions in life and included as favorites were: President of the Natural Gas and Energy Assoc. of Oklahoma; Chairman of the Board of Trustees; and singing in the choir at New Haven Methodist Church, where he was a member for over 50 years. Nick was a sports fan "extraordinaire" - TU football and basketball season ticket holder for over 40 years, and always pulled for his Aggies, as well as for OSU.

He is survived by: wife, Sandra; children, Dr. R Scott (Dawna), Marsha Riffe (Chris), Scott Wm., Mark (Linda), and Stephen (Lorrie); grandchildren, Summer, Mathew, Jessica, Jacob, Katie, Luke, Mary, Jennifer, Kristen, Allie, and Bobby; seven greatgrandchildren; many brother and sister-in-laws; nieces and nephews; and great friends.

Celebrate the Resurrection of Christ at a memorial Service for Nick on Saturday, October 11, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. at New Haven Methodist Church, 5603 So. New Haven. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to: New Haven Methodist Church | or to HELP HOPE LIVE, in honor of his son, Mark Nicholson, at Two Radnor Corporate Center, 100 Matsonford Rd. Suite 100 Radnor, PA 19087.