Roll Call Tribute

William Snowden "Nick" Nichols, III 

October 21, 1951 - January 29, 2024 

On Monday, January 29, 2024, William S. Nichols, III, fondly known as Nick, loving son, brother, husband, father, and grandfather, passed away peacefully at his home following a yearlong, valiant battle with brain cancer. He beat the odds every step of the way and never gave up.

Nick was born in 1951 during his father’s final year of veterinary school. His father, W. S. Nichols, Jr., called Bill or Doc, soon opened the Nichols Veterinary Clinic and moved his young family to Woodville, Texas — the small town that shaped Nick. The honesty, hard work, and fellowship he learned in Woodville would define his legacy.

Nick had a wonderful childhood in Woodville being raised by Doc and Natalie Nichols. Nick often credited his happiness and success in life to the values his parents instilled in him from an early age. He always loved music and started learning how to play the piano in the first grade — a talent he would refine over decades. In high school, he was the organist for a rock band, Brevity. However, his dreams of stardom were brief. Nick buckled down and graduated Valedictorian from Kirby High School. He continued the family tradition by attending Texas A&M University and was a diehard Aggie for life.

Nick was a proud member of the Texas A&M Corp of Cadets in Outfit A-1. His A-1 buddies became his best friends and remained so, getting together frequently to retell stories from the good old days.

College Station gave Nick more than lifelong friends. It was there he fell in love with Becky — the love of his life. They were a perfect match, and Becky was by Nick’s side until the very end.

After graduation, he started his career with the accounting firm Arthur Young and remained there for nearly a decade. In 1976, he and Becky married and started their life together in Houston. In 1984, he and Bill Paulea opened Suncor Development, a real estate development company, and were soon joined by Stuart Goldman. They made a remarkable team and remained the best of friends.

Following the death of his father in 1998, Nick established the Nichols Foundation in Doc’s memory to provide college scholarships for children in Woodville and Tyler County. He further supported education through his service to Texas A&M and the Mays Business School. Nick always remembered his roots and prioritized giving back.

In 2008, he helped form Allegiance Bank of Texas, now Stellar Bank, and was honored to be named to its Board of Directors. Nick felt a deep sense of pride being involved with Stellar Bank, giving his heart and soul to his work on the Board alongside many of his dearest friends and colleagues. Nick had a keen business sense, but that is not what made him successful.

Nick loved people. It didn’t matter who you were. Nick would treat you with respect and warmth, and you would surely walk away happy to have met him. He radiated a positivity that was infectious, and his success in business was a fortunate byproduct of that innate goodness.

Nick and Becky have two sons, Will and Jeremy. They were the love and pride of his life. He coached them in little league sports and taught them how to be good people. Nick was the best dad who led by example. He was proud of the men his children have become. While he loved being a father, Nick found a new zest for life through his grandchildren, who affectionately called him G and will remember him for his unconditional love. They were everything to him.

Growing up in East Texas, Nick loved the outdoors. As an adult, he spent most of his free time with loved ones at his ranch in Texas and his home in Colorado, making many dear friends along the way. In recent years, Nick and Becky moved permanently to the ranch and have enjoyed being members of the Bellville community.

Throughout his life, Nick was an active member of his church, a devout husband, an exemplary father, the best grandpa, the closest friend to many — and at least a small inspiration to anyone who spent more than five minutes with him. He will be remembered for his wisdom, wit, patience, storytelling, and deep love of family and friends.

Nick leaves behind his mother, Natalie Nichols; his wife, Becky Nichols; his sons, Will Nichols and Jeremy Nichols; his daughter-in-law, Kristen Nichols; his beloved grandchildren, Patrick Miller, Henry Nichols, Caroline Nichols, Sophie Nichols, and Liam Nichols; his siblings, Michael Nichols, Nancy Sales, and Pat Nichols; his sisters-in-law and brother-in-law, Debi Nichols, Mark Sales, and Jennifer Nichols; nieces and nephews, Bill Nichols, Betsy Hemphill, Alex Sales, Marshall Sales, Harry Sales, Luke Nichols, and Blake Nichols; and all of their spouses, significant others, and loved ones. Nick will be missed by all who knew him.

The funeral will be Saturday, February 10, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. at Schmidt Funeral Home in Bellville, followed by a celebration luncheon at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Bellville and a private internment.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Nick's name to:

M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
gifts.mdanderson.org