Roll Call Tribute

Published in Redding (CA) Record Searchlight on Oct. 26, 2017

Dr. William F. Nicol III(1926 - 2017)
Dr. William F. Nicol III

Redding, CA

William (Bill) Frederick Nicol III, M.D. (Ret.), Col USAF (Ret.), born to Jamye and William Nicol II in El Dorado, Arkansas, on August 17, 1926, passed away on September 14, 2017, at the age of 91.

Bill grew up in Little Rock, Arkansas, graduated from high school in 1944 and joined the Army Air Corp during the last part of World War II. Bill attended Texas A & M and graduated in 1948. During this time, he met Anne, a nursing student in Galveston, and they married during his first semester in medical school at the University of Texas. He earned his medical degree in 1952 and joined the USAF. Bill's internship was completed at Fitzsimons Army Hospital in Denver, Colorado, and he began his training as an Air Force flight surgeon at Randolph AFB, Texas. He then served as an aviation medical examiner at the Air-Ground Operations School in Southern Pines, North Carolina. In 1954, Bill established his first solo, civilian general practice in Carthage, North Carolina. He rejoined the Air Force in 1956 and was a flight surgeon for one year at Bolling AFB, Washington, D.C. In 1961, Bill completed his residency at the Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland. The Air Force then stationed Bill at Travis AFB, California, where for four years, he was the Chief of Otolaryngology and a flight surgeon. Upon completion of his time in the Air Force, Bill packed up his family and moved in 1965 to Redding, where he opened his medical practice and continued to serve the North State until his retirement in 1991. Bill had joined the Air Force Reserve in 1977. When the 12th USAF Contingency Hospital was reactivated, Bill was appointed commander of Detachment 1 at Mather AFB and later retired on his birthday as a full colonel in 1986.

Throughout Bill's life, he always had many interests and hobbies. He became a ham radio operator and enjoyed that for many years. Bill had always wanted to be a pilot and finally realized his dream when he earned his private and commercial pilot licenses, certified flight instructor license and an instrument rating. He enjoyed taking family and friends on many flights near and far. Bill was a master woodworker and completed a variety of projects including a 17' sail boat, a 5' scaled model doll house of an antebellum home in New Iberia, Louisiana, and many other quality furniture items. He later learned stained glass techniques and completed many beautiful reproduction Tiffany lamps for his family. Bill showed talent for drawing as a boy and in later years took up oil painting. He also loved music and taught himself to play the organ. In addition to these hobbies, Bill and his family enjoyed traveling over the years.

Bill is survived by his wife Anne, daughter Marian Nicol, son Jim Nicol (wife, Shirley) and daughter Patty Soares (husband, Marc). Bill and Anne have seven grandchildren: Thad Nicol (wife, Holly), Brian Fairhurst, Kris Fairhurst, Jamye Blackwood (husband Marc), Dionne Soares Palmer (husband, Mike), Jake Soares, William Nicol V and five great-grandchildren. Bill was predeceased by his son Bill Nicol IV.

Bill Nicol was a wonderful husband, father, friend, physician and healer, artist and craftsman and will be forever in our hearts an officer and a gentleman.

Private family services were held at the Northern California Veterans Cemetery in Igo.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Northern California Veterans Cemetery, 11800 Gas Point Rd., Igo, CA 96047. (530)396-2429

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